U.S. patent number 11,221,448 [Application Number 16/795,501] was granted by the patent office on 2022-01-11 for animated optical security feature.
This patent grant is currently assigned to WAVEFRONT TECHNOLOGY, INC.. The grantee listed for this patent is WAVEFRONT TECHNOLOGY, INC.. Invention is credited to Joel Mikael Petersen, Roger Winston Phillips, Christopher Chapman Rich, John Michael Tamkin.
United States Patent |
11,221,448 |
Rich , et al. |
January 11, 2022 |
Animated optical security feature
Abstract
An optical device includes an array of lenses and a plurality of
segments disposed under the array of lenses. The plurality of
segments corresponds to a plurality of images. Upon tilting the
device at different viewing angle, the array of lenses presents
images sequentially. In some examples, individual ones of the
segments can comprise specular reflecting, transparent, diffusely
reflecting, and/or diffusely transmissive features. In some
examples, individual ones of the segments can comprise transparent
and non-transparent regions. Some examples can incorporate more
than one region producing an optical effect.
Inventors: |
Rich; Christopher Chapman
(Rancho Palos Verdes, CA), Petersen; Joel Mikael (Valley
Village, CA), Phillips; Roger Winston (Santa Rosa, CA),
Tamkin; John Michael (Pasadena, CA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
WAVEFRONT TECHNOLOGY, INC. |
Paramount |
CA |
US |
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Assignee: |
WAVEFRONT TECHNOLOGY, INC.
(Paramount, CA)
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Family
ID: |
1000006042674 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/795,501 |
Filed: |
February 19, 2020 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20200400892 A1 |
Dec 24, 2020 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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62838242 |
Apr 24, 2019 |
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62836579 |
Apr 19, 2019 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B
6/3504 (20130101); G02B 6/003 (20130101); G02B
6/3512 (20130101); G02B 6/3556 (20130101); G02B
6/3532 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G02B
6/35 (20060101); F21V 8/00 (20060101) |
References Cited
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Primary Examiner: Williams; Joseph L
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear,
LLP
Government Interests
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED R&D
This invention was made with government support under Contract No.
TEPS 14-02302 awarded by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The
government has certain rights in the invention.
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/836,579, entitled "OPTICAL SWITCH DEVICES,"
filed Apr. 19, 2019 and to U.S. Provisional Application No.
62/838,242, entitled "OPTICAL SWITCH DEVICES," filed Apr. 24, 2019.
This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.
16/105,759, entitled "OPTICAL SWITCH DEVICES," filed Aug. 20, 2018,
which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/575,340, entitled "OPTICAL SWITCH DEVICES,"
filed Oct. 20, 2017 and to U.S. Provisional Application No.
62/577,138, entitled "OPTICAL SWITCH DEVICES," filed Oct. 25, 2017.
The entirety of each application referenced in this paragraph is
incorporated herein by reference.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An optical device comprising: an array of lenses; and a
plurality of segments disposed under the array of lenses, the
plurality of segments corresponding to a plurality of images, the
images comprising at least one icon and at least one background,
wherein the plurality of segments comprises smooth features and
diffusing features, the smooth features defining one of the at
least one icon and the at least one background, the diffusing
features defining the at least one background when the smooth
features define the at least one icon, and the diffusing features
defining the at least one icon when the smooth features define the
at least one background, and wherein the plurality of segments
comprises ten sets of segments corresponding to ten images of the
plurality of images such that as the device is tilted, the array of
lenses presents the ten images sequentially as the device is tilted
through 10 different viewing angles.
2. The optical device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of segments
comprises 15 sets of segments corresponding to 15 images of the
plurality of images such that the array of lenses presents the 15
images sequentially as the device is tilted through 15 different
viewing angles.
3. The optical device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of segments
comprises 20 sets of segments corresponding to 20 images of the
plurality of images such that the array of lenses presents the 20
images sequentially as the device is tilted through 20 different
viewing angles.
4. The optical device of claim 3, wherein the plurality of segments
comprises 25 sets of segments corresponding to 25 images of the
plurality of images such that the array of lenses presents the 25
images sequentially as the device is tilted through 25 different
viewing angles.
5. The optical device of claim 1, wherein each set of the ten sets
of segments comprises non-adjacent segments.
6. The optical device of claim 1, wherein the presented images
provide images of the at least one icon from a different
perspective.
7. The optical device of claim 1, wherein the presented images
provide images of the at least one icon in a different
location.
8. The optical device of claim 1, wherein the at least one icon
appears to move as the device is tilted.
9. The optical device of claim 1, wherein the at least one icon
appears to rotate as the device is tilted.
10. The optical device of claim 1, wherein the at least one icon
appears to change form as the device is tilted.
11. The optical device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at
least one icon and the at least one background appear to change in
brightness as the device is tilted.
12. The optical device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
segments comprises a tint, dye, ink, or pigment such that the
images comprise color.
13. The optical device of claim 1, wherein the images are
monochromatic.
14. The optical device of claim 1, wherein the images are
achromatic.
15. The optical device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a
kinoform diffuser providing the diffusing features.
16. The optical device of claim 1, wherein the smooth features
comprise specular reflecting features, and the diffusing features
comprise diffusely reflective features.
17. The optical device of claim 1, wherein the smooth features
comprise specular reflecting features, and the diffusing features
comprise diffusely transmissive features.
18. The optical device of claim 1, wherein the smooth features
comprise transparent features, and the diffusing features comprise
diffusely reflective features.
19. The optical device of claim 1, wherein the smooth features
comprise transparent features, and the diffusing features comprise
diffusely transmissive features.
20. The optical device of claim 1, wherein the smooth features
comprise specular reflecting features and transparent features, and
the diffusing features comprise diffusely reflective features and
diffusely transmissive features.
21. The optical device of claim 1, wherein the array of lenses
comprises at least one 1D lens array.
22. The optical device of claim 1, wherein the array of lenses
comprises at least one 2D array of lenses.
23. The optical device of claim 1, wherein the array of lenses
comprises a first lens array having a first longitudinal axis and a
second lens array having a second longitudinal axis, wherein the
first and second arrays are arranged such that the first
longitudinal axis of the first array is angled from 5 to 90 degrees
with respect to the second longitudinal axis of the second
array.
24. The optical device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured
to provide authenticity verification on an item for security.
25. The optical device of claim 24, wherein the item is a credit
card, a debit card, a banknote, currency, a passport, a driver's
license, an identification card, a document, a ticket, a tamper
evident container or packaging, or a bottle of pharmaceuticals.
26. The optical device of claim 1, wherein the device is a security
thread, a hot stamp feature, an embedded feature, a windowed
feature, or a laminated feature.
27. The optical device of claim 1, wherein adjacent segments have a
correlation such that the at least one icon in the corresponding
images appears to flip to another icon.
28. The optical device of claim 1, wherein the at least one icon
appears to rotate with a corresponding shadow from a fixed light
source.
29. The optical device of claim 1, wherein the at least one icon
appears to remain fixed with a shadow that changes corresponding to
a moving light source.
30. The optical device of claim 1, wherein for a plurality of
preceding and succeeding images, each succeeding image includes an
element in the preceding image.
31. The optical device of claim 1, wherein the presented images
provide a smooth, continuous animation.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present application generally relates to optical switch
devices. In particular, the optical switch devices include optical
features and/or color generating structures (e.g., microstructures
and/or nanostructures configured to provide one or more colors)
under an array of lenses to present one or more icons for viewing
when illuminated.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED TECHNOLOGY
Optical switch devices can be used as a security device, such as an
anti-counterfeit feature (for example, on a banknote). Holograms
have been used as a counterfeit deterrent. However, this technology
has become so widespread with hundreds if not thousands of
holographic shops around the world that holograms are now viewed by
some as having poor security. Optically variable inks and optically
variable magnetic inks have also been used on banknotes. However,
these products have now been simulated or have been even made from
similar materials as the originals that these security elements are
now questionable as a high security feature. Motion type security
elements have been adopted into banknotes, but even here, this
feature has also been used widely on commercial products. Thus,
with respect to security devices, a new security feature that is
difficult to counterfeit and can be readily incorporated into an
item such as a banknote is desirable.
SUMMARY
In accordance with certain embodiments described herein, optical
switch devices, such as security devices are disclosed.
Advantageously, the security devices disclosed herein can present
sharp, high contrast images with or without color that switch
rapidly, which are difficult to counterfeit.
This disclosure provides a security device including an array of
lenses. The device can also include a plurality of first and second
segments disposed under the array of lenses. The first segments can
correspond to portions of an icon and a background. At a first
viewing angle, the array of lenses presents the icon for viewing.
At a second viewing angle different from the first viewing angle,
the array of lenses does not present the icon for viewing.
Individual ones of the first segments can comprise specular
reflecting features and diffusing features. The specular reflecting
features can define one of the icon and the background. The
diffusing features can define the background when the specular
reflecting features define the icon. The diffusing features can
define the icon when the specular reflecting features define the
background. Individual ones of the second segments can comprise
diffusing features when the diffusing features of the first
segments define the background, and can comprise specular
reflecting features when the specular reflecting features of the
first segments define the background.
Upon viewing at an angle in the specular direction, the icon can
appear specularly bright and the background can appear matte white
or grey when the specular reflecting features define the icon and
the diffusing features define the background. Alternatively, upon
viewing at an angle in the specular direction, the icon can appear
matte white or grey and the background appears specularly bright
when the specular reflecting features define the background and the
diffusing features define the icon. The specular reflecting
features can define the icon and the diffusing features define the
background.
At the first viewing angle, the array of lenses can present for
viewing the icon and the background. The background can comprise a
shaped background. At the second viewing angle, the array of lenses
can present for viewing the shaped background without the icon.
This disclosure provides a security device comprising an array of
lenses. The device can include a plurality of first and second
segments disposed under the array of lenses. The first segments can
correspond to portions of a first image, and the second segments
can correspond to portions of a second image. The first and second
images can comprise an icon and a background. At a first viewing
angle, the array of lenses can present the first image for viewing
without presenting the second image for viewing. At a second
viewing angle different from the first viewing angle, the array of
lenses can present for viewing the second image without presenting
the first image for viewing. Individual ones of the first and
second segments can comprise specular reflecting features and
diffusing features. For the first and second segments, the specular
reflecting features can define one of the icon and the background.
The diffusing features can define the background when the specular
reflecting features define the icon. The diffusing features can
define the icon when the specular reflecting features define the
background.
Upon viewing at an angle in the specular direction, the icon can
appear specularly bright and the background can appear matte white
or grey when the specular reflecting features define the icon and
the diffusing features define the background. Alternatively, upon
viewing at an angle in the specular direction, the icon can appear
matte white or grey and the background can appear specularly bright
when the specular reflecting features define the background and the
diffusing features define the icon. For the first and second
segments, the specular reflecting features can define the icon and
the diffusing features can define the background. The icon of the
first image can have a different overall shape than the icon of the
second image.
This disclosure provides a security device comprising an array of
lenses. The device can include a plurality of first and second
segments disposed under the array of lenses. The first segments can
correspond to portions of a first icon and a first background. The
second segments can correspond to portions of a second icon and a
second background. At a first viewing angle, the array of lenses
can present for viewing the first icon and the first background
without presenting the second icon for viewing. At a second viewing
angle different from the first viewing angle, the array of lenses
can present for viewing the second icon and the second background
without presenting the first icon for viewing. The second
background at the second viewing angle can appear the same in outer
shape, size, and brightness as the first background at the first
viewing angle. Individual ones of the first and second segments can
comprise specular reflecting features and diffusing features. For
the first and second segments, the specular reflecting features can
define the first and second icons, and the diffusing features can
define the first and second backgrounds. Alternatively, for the
first and second segments, the diffusing features can define the
first and second icons, and the specular reflecting features can
define the first and second backgrounds.
Upon viewing at an angle in the specular direction, the first and
second icons can appear specularly bright and the first and second
backgrounds can appear matte white or grey when the specular
reflecting features define the first and second icons and the
diffusing features define the first and second backgrounds.
Alternatively, upon viewing at an angle in the specular direction,
the first and second icons can appear matte white or grey and the
first and second backgrounds can appear specularly bright when the
specular reflecting features define the first and second
backgrounds and the diffusing features define the first and second
icons.
For the first and second segments, the specular reflecting features
can define the first and second icons and the diffusing features
can define the first and second backgrounds. The first and second
backgrounds can be in the form of at least one alphanumeric
character, a symbol, an art image, graphic, or an object. The first
and second backgrounds can further comprise a covert feature. For
example, the covert feature can comprise a fluorescent material or
an up-converting pigment. The first and second backgrounds can
further comprise a tint, a dye, ink, or a pigment.
This disclosure provides a security device comprising a plurality
of lenses forming an array of lenses along a longitudinal axis. A
plurality of first and second segments can be disposed under the
array of lenses. The first segments can correspond to portions of a
first set of at least two icons, and the second segments can
correspond to portions of a second set of at least two icons. At a
first viewing angle, the array of lenses can present for viewing
the first set of the at least two icons. At a second viewing angle
different from the first viewing angle, the array of lenses can
present for viewing the second set of the at least two icons.
The icons in the first and second sets can be separated by
background. Also, one or more of the at least two icons of the
first set can be different from a corresponding one of the at least
two icons of the second set. The first set and the second set can
be presented for viewing in a row along the axis perpendicular to
the longitudinal axis of the array of lenses.
This disclosure provides a security device comprising a plurality
of lenses forming an array of lenses along a longitudinal axis. A
plurality of first and second segments can be disposed under the
array of lenses. The first segments can correspond to portions of a
first set of at least four icons, and the second segments can
correspond to portions of a second set of at least four icons. At a
first viewing angle, the array of lenses can present for viewing
the first set of the at least four icons in a row along an axis
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the array of lenses. At a
second viewing angle different from the first viewing angle, the
array of lenses can present for viewing the second set of the at
least four icons in a row along the axis perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the array of lenses.
The icons in the first and second sets can be separated by
background. One or more of the at least four icons of the first set
can be different from a corresponding one of the at least four
icons of the second set.
This disclosure provides a security device comprising an array of
lenses. A plurality of first and second segments can be disposed
under the array of lenses. The first segments can correspond to
portions of a first icon and a first background, and the second
segments can correspond to portions of a second icon and a second
background. At a first viewing angle, the array of lenses can
present for viewing the first icon and the first background without
presenting the second icon for viewing. At a second viewing angle
different from the first viewing angle, the array of lenses can
present for viewing the second icon and the second background
without presenting the first icon for viewing. Individual ones of
the first segments can comprise a first surface texture defining
the first icon. Individual ones of the second segments can comprise
a second surface texture defining the second icon. The second
surface texture can be different from the first surface texture.
Individual ones of the first and second segments can further
comprise a third surface texture defining the first and second
backgrounds respectively. The third surface texture can be
different from the first and second surface textures.
The first surface texture can comprise a moth eye texture. The
second surface texture can comprise an interference grating. The
third surface texture can comprise a diffusing texture.
The first surface texture can comprise a moth eye texture. The
second surface texture can comprise specular reflecting features.
The third surface texture comprises a diffusing texture.
The first surface texture can comprise specular reflecting
features. The second surface texture can comprise an interference
grating. The third surface texture can comprise a diffusing
texture.
This disclosure provides a security device comprising a plurality
of lenses forming an array of lenses. The lenses can have a
longitudinal axis disposed in a vertical direction. A plurality of
first and second segments can be disposed under the array of
lenses. The first segments can correspond to portions of a right
side view of an image, and the second segments can correspond to
portions of a left side view of the image. The image can comprise
an icon and a background. When tilting the first and second
segments about the longitudinal axis of the lenses, the array of
lenses can present the right and left side views of the image for a
stereoscopic view of the image. Individual ones of the first and
second segments can comprise specular reflecting features and
diffusing features. For the first and second segments, the specular
reflecting features can define one of the icon and the background.
The diffusing features can define the background when the specular
reflecting features define the icon. The diffusing features can
define the icon when the specular reflecting features define the
background.
The specular reflecting features can define the icon and the
diffusing features can define the background. The first and second
segments can correspond to portions of at least three images.
This disclosure provides the following features in a security
device.
The array of lenses can comprise a 1D lenticular lens array. The
array of lenses can comprise a 2D array of lenses. For example, the
array of lenses can comprise a first lenticular lens array having a
first longitudinal axis and a second lenticular lens array having a
second longitudinal axis. The first and second arrays can be
arranged such that the first longitudinal axis of the first array
is angled from 5 to 90 degrees with respect to the second
longitudinal axis of the second array. A difference in the first
and second viewing angles can be less than or equal to 15 degrees
under a point light source. A difference in the first and second
viewing angles can be less than or equal to 20 degrees under an
extended light source.
A first image or icon or set of icons can flip to the second image
or icon or set of icons with no observable transition upon a change
from the first viewing angle to the second viewing angle.
The first and second segments can each comprise a length, a width,
and a thickness. The width of each of the first and second segments
can be less than or equal to 80 microns.
The first image or second image, the icon, first or second icon, or
the first or second set can comprise a half tone image.
The contrast percentage between the icon and the background,
between the first icon and the first background, or between the
second icon and the second background can be from 25% to 90% when
viewing at an angle in the specular direction, or from 25% to 90%
when viewing at an angle not in the specular direction.
For the first or second segments, the diffusing features can
provide Lambertian reflectance.
For the first or second segments, the diffusing features can have
an elliptical output.
The device can comprise a kinoform diffuser providing the diffusing
features.
For the first or second segments, the diffusing features can
comprise a brightness greater than 85 and a whiteness index greater
than 85.
For the first or second segments, the diffusing features can
comprise TiO.sub.2 particles.
For the first or second segments, the specular reflecting features
and the diffusing features can provide no diffractive or
interference color.
For the first or second segments, the diffusing features can
comprise a tint, an ink, a fluorescent chemical, a transparent dye,
an opaque dye, or an opaque pigment.
The icon, first or second image, first or second icon, or first or
second set can comprise at least one alphanumeric character, a
symbol, an art image, graphic, or an object. The background of the
icon, the background of the first or second image, or the
background of the first or second icon can comprise a circle, a
square, a rectangle, a hexagon, an oval, a star, or a knurled edge.
The background of the icon, the background of the first or second
image, or the background of the first or second icon can comprise a
pattern of alphanumeric characters, symbols, images, graphics, or
objects.
The security device can further comprise a substrate having a first
side and a second side opposite the first side. The array of lenses
can be disposed on the first side of the substrate. The specular
reflecting features and diffusing features can be disposed on the
second side of the substrate. The substrate can have a thickness in
a range from 10 microns to 300 microns. The thickness can be in the
range from 10 microns to 90 microns, from 10 microns to 85 microns,
from 10 microns to 70 microns, from 10 microns to 60 microns, from
10 microns to 50 microns, from 10 microns to 45 microns, from 10
microns to 40 microns, in any ranges within these ranges, any
values within these ranges, or in any ranges formed by such
values.
The security device can be configured to provide authenticity
verification on an item for security. The item can be a credit
card, a debit card, currency, a passport, a driver's license, an
identification card, a document, a temper evident container or
packaging, or a bottle of pharmaceuticals. The security device can
be a security thread, a hot stamp feature, an embedded feature, a
windowed feature, or a laminated feature.
The security device can further comprise another optical element
outside of the first and second segments. The security device can
further comprise another optical element within of the first
segment or the second segment. The another optical element can
comprise a holographic element, a diffractive element, or a
non-holographic non-diffractive element.
The security device can further comprise one or more
micro-structural lenses. The one or more micro-structural lenses
can comprise a Fresnel lens or a diamond turned element. The one or
more micro-structural lenses can be overprinted.
The security device can further comprise a metallized coating. The
security device can further comprise a metallized coating with
portions without metallization to form at least one alphanumeric
character, a symbol, an image, or an object. The metallized coating
can comprise aluminum, silver, gold, copper, titanium, zinc, tin,
or any alloy thereof.
The background for the first or second image, the background for
the icon, or the first or second background can be transparent.
For the first or second segments, the diffusing features can be
coated with a transparent high index material. For the first or
second segments, the diffusing features can be coated with ZnS.
The first segment can comprise half tone. The second segment can
comprise half tone. The specular reflecting features and the
diffusing features can each have sizes and be distributed within
the first or second segment to provide half tone imagery for
producing the icon, the first or second image, the first or second
icon, or the first or second set.
The specular reflecting features and the diffusing features can be
included in the first or second segment in an amount and
distribution to provide half tone imagery for producing the icon,
the first or second image, the first or second icon, or the first
or second set.
The first or second segment can include specular reflecting
features that provide half tone, where individual specular
reflecting features cannot be resolved in images of the specular
reflecting features produced by a corresponding lens in the array
of lenses by the unaided eye.
The shape of the icon, the shape of the first or second image, the
shape of the first or second icon, or the shape of the first or
second set can be invariant as the light source changes
position.
The first or second segment can comprise a micro-image having a
height smaller than a width of the first or second segment. The
micro-image can be at least one alphanumeric character, symbol, an
art image, graphic, or an object.
This disclosure provides a method of fabricating a security device.
The method can comprise preparing a master using an electron beam,
lithographic techniques, or etching. The method can further
comprise using the master to form the specular reflecting features
or the diffusing features.
Various embodiments disclosed herein can be used for security
documents, in particular, as security threads in bank notes or as a
laminated strip, or as a patch or as a window. Other security items
such as passports, ID cards, chip cards, credit cards, stock
certificates and other investment securities, vouchers, admission
tickets and commercial packages that protect items of value such as
CD's, medicinal drugs, car and aircraft parts, etc. may also be
protected against counterfeiting using the concepts and embodiments
described herein. Furthermore, various embodiments disclosed herein
can also be used for non-security applications.
Additional examples are provided below.
1. An optical device comprising: an array of lenses; and a
plurality of first and second segments disposed under the array of
lenses, the first segments corresponding to portions of an icon and
a background, wherein at a first viewing angle, the array of lenses
presents the icon for viewing, and at a second viewing angle
different from the first viewing angle, the array of lenses does
not present the icon for viewing, wherein individual ones of the
first segments comprise specular reflecting features and diffusing
features, the specular reflecting features defining one of the icon
and the background, the diffusing features defining the background
when the specular reflecting features define the icon, and the
diffusing features defining the icon when the specular reflecting
features define the background, and wherein individual ones of the
second segments comprise diffusing features when the diffusing
features of the first segments define the background, and comprise
specular reflecting features when the specular reflecting features
of the first segments define the background.
2. The device of Example 1, wherein upon viewing at an angle in the
specular direction, the icon appears specularly bright and the
background appears matte white or grey when the specular reflecting
features define the icon and the diffusing features define the
background, or the icon appears matte white or grey and the
background appears specularly bright when the specular reflecting
features define the background and the diffusing features define
the icon.
3. The device of Example 1 or 2, wherein for the first segments,
the specular reflecting features define the icon and the diffusing
features define the background.
4. The device of any of Examples 1-3, wherein at the first viewing
angle, the array of lenses presents for viewing the icon and the
background, the background comprising a shaped background, and
wherein at the second viewing angle, the array of lenses presents
for viewing the shaped background without the icon.
5. An optical device comprising: an array of lenses; and a
plurality of first and second segments disposed under the array of
lenses, the first segments corresponding to portions of a first
image, and the second segments corresponding to portions of a
second image, the first and second images comprising an icon and a
background, wherein at a first viewing angle, the array of lenses
presents the first image for viewing without presenting the second
image for viewing, and at a second viewing angle different from the
first viewing angle, the array of lenses presents for viewing the
second image without presenting the first image for viewing,
wherein individual ones of the first and second segments comprise
specular reflecting features and diffusing features, and wherein
for the first and second segments, the specular reflecting features
define one of the icon and the background, the diffusing features
define the background when the specular reflecting features define
the icon, and the diffusing features define the icon when the
specular reflecting features define the background.
6. The device of Example 5, wherein upon viewing at an angle in the
specular direction, the icon appears specularly bright and the
background appears matte white or grey when the specular reflecting
features define the icon and the diffusing features define the
background, or the icon appears matte white or grey and the
background appears specularly bright when the specular reflecting
features define the background and the diffusing features define
the icon.
7. The device of Example 5 or 6, wherein for the first and second
segments, the specular reflecting features define the icon and the
diffusing features define the background.
8. The device of any of Examples 5-8, wherein the icon of the first
image has a different overall shape than the icon of the second
image.
9. An optical device comprising: an array of lenses; and a
plurality of first and second segments disposed under the array of
lenses, the first segments corresponding to portions of a first
icon and a first background, and the second segments corresponding
to portions of a second icon and a second background, wherein at a
first viewing angle, the array of lenses presents for viewing the
first icon and the first background without presenting the second
icon for viewing, and at a second viewing angle different from the
first viewing angle, the array of lenses presents for viewing the
second icon and the second background without presenting the first
icon for viewing, wherein the second background at the second
viewing angle appears the same in outer shape, size, and brightness
as the first background at the first viewing angle, wherein
individual ones of the first and second segments comprise specular
reflecting features and diffusing features, wherein for the first
and second segments, the specular reflecting features define the
first and second icons, and the diffusing features define the first
and second backgrounds, or the diffusing features define the first
and second icons, and the specular reflecting features define the
first and second backgrounds.
10. The device of Example 9, wherein upon viewing at an angle in
the specular direction, the first and second icons appear
specularly bright and the first and second backgrounds appear matte
white or grey when the specular reflecting features define the
first and second icons and the diffusing features define the first
and second backgrounds, or the first and second icons appear matte
white or grey and the first and second backgrounds appear
specularly bright when the specular reflecting features define the
first and second backgrounds and the diffusing features define the
first and second icons.
11. The device of Example 9 or 10, wherein for the first and second
segments, the specular reflecting features define the first and
second icons and the diffusing features define the first and second
backgrounds.
12. The device of any of Examples 9-11, wherein the first and
second backgrounds are in the form of at least one alphanumeric
character, a symbol, an art image, graphic, or an object.
13. The device of any of Examples 9-12, wherein the first and
second backgrounds further comprise a covert feature.
14. The device of Example 13, wherein the covert feature comprises
a fluorescent material or an up-converting pigment.
15. The device of any of Examples 9-14, wherein the first and
second backgrounds further comprise a tint, a dye, ink, or a
pigment.
16. An optical device comprising: a plurality of lenses forming an
array of lenses along a longitudinal axis; and a plurality of first
and second segments disposed under the array of lenses, the first
segments corresponding to portions of a first set of at least two
icons, and the second segments corresponding to portions of a
second set of at least two icons, wherein at a first viewing angle,
the array of lenses presents for viewing the first set of the at
least two icons, and at a second viewing angle different from the
first viewing angle, the array of lenses presents for viewing the
second set of the at least two icons, wherein one or more of the at
least two icons of the first set are different from a corresponding
one of the at least two icons of the second set.
17. The device of Example 16, the first set and the second set are
presented for viewing in a row along the axis perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the array of lenses.
18. An optical device comprising: a plurality of lenses forming an
array of lenses along a longitudinal axis; and a plurality of first
and second segments disposed under the array of lenses, the first
segments corresponding to portions of a first set of at least four
icons, and the second segments corresponding to portions of a
second set of at least four icons, wherein at a first viewing
angle, the array of lenses presents for viewing the first set of
the at least four icons in a row along an axis perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the array of lenses, and at a second viewing
angle different from the first viewing angle, the array of lenses
presents for viewing the second set of the at least four icons in a
row along the axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the
array of lenses.
19. The device of Example 18, wherein one or more of the at least
four icons of the first set are different from a corresponding one
of the at least four icons of the second set.
20. An optical device comprising: an array of lenses; and a
plurality of first and second segments disposed under the array of
lenses, the first segments corresponding to portions of a first
icon and a first background, and the second segments corresponding
to portions of a second icon and a second background, wherein at a
first viewing angle, the array of lenses presents for viewing the
first icon and the first background without presenting the second
icon for viewing, and at a second viewing angle different from the
first viewing angle, the array of lenses presents for viewing the
second icon and the second background without presenting the first
icon for viewing, wherein individual ones of the first segments
comprise a first surface texture defining the first icon, wherein
individual ones of the second segments comprise a second surface
texture defining the second icon, the second surface texture
different from the first surface texture, wherein individual ones
of the first and second segments further comprise a third surface
texture defining the first and second backgrounds respectively, the
third surface texture different from the first and second surface
textures.
21. The device of Example 20, wherein the first surface texture
comprises a moth eye texture, the second surface texture comprises
an interference grating, and the third surface texture comprises a
diffusing texture.
22. The device of Example 20, wherein the first surface texture
comprises a moth eye texture, the second surface texture comprises
specular reflecting features, and the third surface texture
comprises a diffusing texture.
23. The device of Example 20, wherein the first surface texture
comprises specular reflecting features, the second surface texture
comprises an interference grating, and the third surface texture
comprises a diffusing texture.
24. An optical device comprising: a plurality of lenses forming an
array of lenses, the lenses having a longitudinal axis disposed in
a vertical direction; and a plurality of first and second segments
disposed under the array of lenses, the first segments
corresponding to portions of a right side view of an image, and the
second segments corresponding to portions of a left side view of
the image, the image comprising an icon and a background, wherein
when tilting the first and second segments about the longitudinal
axis of the lenses, the array of lenses presents the right and left
side views of the image for a stereoscopic view of the image,
wherein individual ones of the first and second segments comprise
specular reflecting features and diffusing features, and wherein
for the first and second segments, the specular reflecting features
define one of the icon and the background, the diffusing features
define the background when the specular reflecting features define
the icon, and the diffusing features define the icon when the
specular reflecting features define the background.
25. The device of Example 24, wherein the specular reflecting
features define the icon and the diffusing features define the
background.
26. The device of Example 24 or 25, wherein the first and second
segments correspond to portions of at least three images.
27. The device of any of the preceding examples, wherein the array
of lenses comprises a 1D lenticular lens array.
28. The device of any of the preceding examples, wherein the array
of lenses comprises a 2D array of lenses.
29. The device of Example 28, wherein the array of lenses comprises
a first lenticular lens array having a first longitudinal axis and
a second lenticular lens array having a second longitudinal axis,
wherein the first and second arrays are arranged such that the
first longitudinal axis of the first array is angled from 5 to 90
degrees with respect to the second longitudinal axis of the second
array.
30. The device of any of the preceding examples, wherein a
difference in the first and second viewing angles is less than or
equal to 15 degrees under a point light source.
31. The device of any of the preceding examples, wherein a
difference in the first and second viewing angles is less than or
equal to 20 degrees under an extended light source.
32. The device of any of Examples 5-8, wherein the first image
flips to the second image with no observable transition upon a
change from the first viewing angle to the second viewing
angle.
33. The device of any of Examples 9-15 or any of Examples 20-23,
wherein the first icon flips to the second icon with no observable
transition upon a change from the first viewing angle to the second
viewing angle.
34. The device of any of Examples 16-19, wherein the first set
flips to the second set with no observable transition upon a change
from the first viewing angle to the second viewing angle.
35. The device of any of the preceding examples, wherein the first
and second segments each comprises a length, a width, and a
thickness, and wherein the width of each of the first and second
segments is less than or equal to 80 microns.
36. The device of any of Examples 1-4 or any of Examples 24-26,
wherein the icon comprises a half tone image.
37. The device of any of Examples 5-8, wherein the first or second
image comprises a half tone image.
38. The device of any of Examples 9-15 or any of Examples 20-23,
wherein the first or second icon comprises a half tone image.
39. The device of any of Examples 16-19, wherein the first or
second set comprises a half tone image.
40. The device of any of Examples 1-4 or any of Examples 24-26,
wherein the contrast percentage between the icon and the background
is from 25% to 90% when viewing at an angle in the specular
direction, or from 25% to 90% when viewing at an angle not in the
specular direction.
41. The device of any of Examples 5-8, wherein for the first image
or the second image, the contrast percentage between the icon and
the background is from 25% to 90% when viewing at an angle in the
specular direction, or from 25% to 90% when viewing at an angle not
in the specular direction.
42. The device of any of Examples 9-15 or any of Examples 20-23,
wherein the contrast percentage between the first icon and the
first background or between the second icon and the second
background is from 25% to 90% when viewing at an angle in the
specular direction, or from 25% to 90% when viewing at an angle not
in the specular direction.
43. The device of any of Examples 1-15 or any of Examples 24-26,
wherein for the first or second segments, the diffusing features
provide Lambertian reflectance.
44. The device of any of Examples 1-15 or any of Examples 24-26,
wherein for the first or second segments, the diffusing features
have an elliptical output.
45. The device of any of Examples 1-15 or any of Examples 24-26,
wherein the device comprises a kinoform diffuser providing the
diffusing features.
46. The device of any of Examples 1-15 or any of Examples 24-26,
wherein for the first or second segments, the diffusing features
comprise a brightness greater than 85 and a whiteness index greater
than 85.
47. The device of any of Examples 1-15 or any of Examples 24-26,
wherein for the first or second segments, the diffusing features
comprise TiO.sub.2 particles.
48. The device of any of Examples 1-15 or any of Examples 24-26,
wherein for the first or second segments, the specular reflecting
features and the diffusing features provide no diffractive or
interference color.
49. The device of any of Examples 1-15 or any of Examples 24-26,
wherein for the first or second segments, the diffusing features
comprise a tint, an ink, a fluorescent chemical, a transparent dye,
an opaque dye, or an opaque pigment.
50. The device of any of Examples 1-4 or any of Examples 24-26,
wherein the icon comprises at least one alphanumeric character, a
symbol, an art image, graphic, or an object.
51. The device of any of Examples 5-8, wherein the first or second
image comprises at least one alphanumeric character, a symbol, an
art image, graphic, or an object.
52. The device of any of Examples 9-15 or any of Examples 20-23,
wherein the first or second icon comprises at least one
alphanumeric character, a symbol, an art image, graphic, or an
object.
53. The device of any of Examples 16-19, wherein the first or
second set comprises at least one alphanumeric character, a symbol,
an art image, graphic, or an object.
54. The device of any of Examples 1-4 or any of Examples 24-26,
wherein the background of the icon comprises a circle, a square, a
rectangle, a hexagon, an oval, a star, or a knurled edge.
55. The device of any of Examples 5-8, wherein the background of
the first or second image comprises a circle, a square, a
rectangle, a hexagon, an oval, a star, or a knurled edge.
56. The device of any of Examples 9-15 or any of Examples 20-23,
wherein the background of the first or second icon comprises a
circle, a square, a rectangle, a hexagon, an oval, a star, or a
knurled edge.
57. The device of any of Examples 1-4 or any of Examples 24-26,
wherein the background of the icon comprises a pattern of
alphanumeric characters, symbols, images, graphics, or objects.
58. The device of any of Examples 5-8, wherein the background of
the first or second image comprises a pattern of alphanumeric
characters, symbols, images, graphics, or objects.
59. The device of any of Examples 9-15 or any of Examples 20-23,
wherein the background of the first or second icon comprises a
pattern of alphanumeric characters, symbols, images, graphics, or
objects.
60. The device of any of Examples 1-15 or any of Examples 24-26,
further comprising a substrate having a first side and a second
side opposite the first side, wherein the array of lenses is
disposed on the first side of the substrate, and wherein the
specular reflecting features and diffusing features are disposed on
the second side of the substrate.
61. The device of Example 60, wherein the substrate has a thickness
in a range from 10 microns to 300 microns.
62. The device of Example 61, wherein the thickness is in the range
from 10 microns to 40 microns.
63. The device of any of the preceding examples, wherein the device
is configured to provide authenticity verification on an item for
security.
64. The device of Example 63, wherein the item is a credit card, a
debit card, currency, a passport, a driver's license, an
identification card, a document, a temper evident container or
packaging, or a bottle of pharmaceuticals.
65. The device of any of the preceding examples, wherein the device
is a security thread, a hot stamp feature, an embedded feature, a
windowed feature, or a laminated feature.
66. The device of any of the preceding examples, further comprising
another optical element outside of the first and second
segments.
67. The device of any of the preceding examples, further comprising
another optical element within of the first segment or the second
segment.
68. The device of Example 67, wherein the another optical element
comprises a holographic element, a diffractive element, or a
non-holographic non-diffractive element.
69. The device of any of the preceding examples, further comprising
one or more micro-structural lenses.
70. The device of Example 69, wherein the one or more
micro-structural lenses comprise a Fresnel lens or a diamond turned
element.
71. The device of Example 69 or 70, wherein the one or more
micro-structural lenses are overprinted.
72. The device of any of the preceding examples, further comprising
a metallized coating.
73. The device of any of the preceding examples, further comprising
a metallized coating with portions without metallization to form at
least one alphanumeric character, a symbol, an image, or an
object.
74. The device of Example 72 or 73, wherein the metallized coating
comprises aluminum, silver, gold, copper, titanium, zinc, tin, or
any alloy thereof.
75. The device of any of Examples 5-8, wherein for the first or
second image, the background is transparent.
76. The device of any of Examples 1-4 or any of Examples 24-26,
wherein the background is transparent.
77. The device of any of Examples 9-15 or any of Examples 20-23,
wherein the first or second background is transparent.
78. The device of any of Examples 1-15 or any of Examples 24-26,
wherein for the first or second segments, the diffusing features
are coated with a transparent high index material.
79. The device of any of Examples 1-15 or any of Examples 24-26,
wherein for the first or second segments, the diffusing features
are coated with ZnS.
80. The device of any of the preceding examples, wherein the first
segment comprises half tone.
81. The device of any of the preceding examples, wherein the second
segment comprises half tone.
82. The device of any of Examples 1-4 or any of Examples 24-26,
wherein the specular reflecting features and the diffusing features
each have sizes and are distributed within said first or second
segment to provide half tone imagery for producing said icon.
83. The device of any of Examples 5-8, wherein the specular
reflecting features and the diffusing features each have sizes and
are distributed within said first or second segment to provide half
tone imagery for producing said first or second image.
84. The device of any of Examples 9-15 or any of Examples 20-23,
wherein the specular reflecting features and the diffusing features
each have sizes and are distributed within said first or second
segment to provide half tone imagery for producing said first or
second icon.
85. The device of any of Examples 16-19, wherein the specular
reflecting features and the diffusing features each have sizes and
are distributed within said first or second segment to provide half
tone imagery for producing said first or second set.
86. The device of any of Examples 1-4 or any of Examples 24-26,
wherein the specular reflecting features and the diffusing features
are included in said first or second segment in an amount and
distribution to provide half tone imagery for producing said
icon.
87. The device of any of Examples 5-8, wherein the specular
reflecting features and the diffusing features are included in said
first or second segment in an amount and distribution to provide
half tone imagery for producing said first or second image.
88. The device of any of Examples 9-15 or any of Examples 20-23,
wherein the specular reflecting features and the diffusing features
are included in said first or second segment in an amount and
distribution to provide half tone imagery for producing said first
or second icon.
89. The device of any of Examples 16-19, wherein the specular
reflecting features and the diffusing features are included in said
first or second segment in an amount and distribution to provide
half tone imagery for producing said first or second set.
90. The device of any of the preceding examples, wherein the first
or second segment includes specular reflecting features that
provide half tone, wherein individual specular reflecting features
cannot be resolved in images of the specular reflecting features
produced by a corresponding lens in the array of lenses by the
unaided eye.
91. The device of any of Examples 1-4 or any of Examples 24-26,
wherein the shape of the icon is invariant as the light source
changes position.
92. The device of any of Examples 5-8, wherein the shape of the
first or second image is invariant as the light source changes
position.
93. The device of any of Examples 9-15 or any of Examples 20-23,
wherein the shape of the first or second icon is invariant as the
light source changes position.
94. The device of any of Examples 16-19, wherein the shape of the
first or second set is invariant as the light source changes
position.
95. The device of any of the preceding examples, wherein the first
or second segment comprises a micro-image having a height smaller
than a width of the first or second segment.
96. The device of Example 95, wherein the micro-image is at least
one alphanumeric character, symbol, an art image, graphic, or an
object.
97. The device of any of Examples 16-19, wherein the icons in the
first and second sets are separated by background.
98. A method of fabricating a device of any of the preceding
examples, the method comprising: preparing a master using an
electron beam, lithographic techniques, or etching; and using the
master to form the specular reflecting features or the diffusing
features.
99. The device of any of Examples 1-97, wherein at least one first
segment or at least one second segment comprises one or more
microstructures or one or more nanostructures configured to provide
one or more colors.
100. An optical device comprising: an array of lenses; and a
plurality of first and second segments disposed under the array of
lenses, the first segments corresponding to portions of an icon and
a background, wherein at a first viewing angle, the array of lenses
presents a view of the icon, and at a second viewing angle
different from the first viewing angle, the array of lenses
presents a view without the icon, and wherein at least one first
segment or at least one second segment comprises one or more
microstructures or one or more nanostructures configured to provide
one or more colors for the view of the icon or the view without the
icon.
101. The device of Example 100, wherein the at least one first
segment comprises the one or more microstructures or the one or
more nanostructures configured to provide one or more colors for
the icon or for the background.
102. The device of Example 100 or 101, wherein the at least one
second segment comprises the one or more microstructures or the one
or more nanostructures configured to provide one or more colors for
the view without the icon.
103. An optical device comprising: an array of lenses; and a
plurality of first and second segments disposed under the array of
lenses, the first segments corresponding to portions of a first
image, and the second segments corresponding to portions of a
second image, wherein at a first viewing angle, the array of lenses
presents the first image for viewing without presenting the second
image for viewing, and at a second viewing angle different from the
first viewing angle, the array of lenses presents for viewing the
second image without presenting the first image for viewing, and
wherein at least one first segment or at least one second segment
of the plurality of first and second segments comprises one or more
microstructures or one or more nanostructures configured to provide
one or more colors for the first or second image.
104. The device of Example 103, wherein the first and second images
comprise an icon and a background.
105. The device of Example 104, wherein the icon of the first image
has a different overall shape than the icon of the second
image.
106. The device of any of Example 103-105, wherein the at least one
first segment and the at least one second segment comprise the one
or more microstructures or the one or more nanostructures.
107. The device of Example 106, wherein the one or more
microstructures or the one or more nanostructures are configured to
provide a first color for the first image and a second color for
the second image.
108. The device of Example 107, wherein the first and second colors
are different.
109. The device of any of Examples 99-108, wherein the one or more
microstructures or the one or more nanostructures comprise at least
one opal structure.
110. The device of Example 109, wherein the at least one opal
structure comprises a plurality of microsurface or nanosurface
relief portions.
111. The device of Example 110, wherein the microsurface or
nanosurface relief portions comprise a reflective metal
coating.
112. The device of Example 110, wherein the microsurface or
nanosurface relief portions comprise a transparent coating having
an index of refraction between 1.8 and 3.
113. The device of Example 112, wherein the transparent coating
comprises zinc sulfide, titanium oxide, or indium tin oxide.
114. The device of any of Examples 99-113, wherein the one or more
microstructures or the one or more nanostructures comprise at least
one plasmonic structure.
115. The device of Example 114, wherein the at least one plasmonic
structure comprises: a first metal microfeature or nanofeature; a
second metal microfeature or nanofeature; and a dielectric
microfeature or nanofeature.
116. The device of Example 115, wherein the first or second metal
microfeature or nanofeature comprises silver, aluminum, gold,
copper, tin, or combinations thereof.
117. The device of Example 115 or Example 116, wherein the
dielectric microfeature or nanofeature comprises a dielectric
material between the first and second metal microfeature or
nanofeature.
118. The device of Example 117, wherein the dielectric material
comprises a UV curable resin.
119. The device of any of Examples 115-118, wherein the dielectric
microfeature or nanofeature comprises a reflective microfeature or
nanofeature disposed over the dielectric microfeature or
nanofeature.
120. The device of Example 119, wherein the reflective microfeature
or nanofeature comprises aluminum.
121. The device of Example 119 or Example 120, further comprising a
protective coating over the reflective microfeature or
nanofeature.
122. The device of any of Examples 115-121, wherein the at least
one plasmonic structure does not comprise a reflective microfeature
or nanofeature disposed on the dielectric microfeature or
nanofeature.
123. The device of any of Examples 99-122, wherein the one or more
colors produced by a corresponding lens in the array of lenses can
be resolved by an unaided eye.
124. The device of any of Examples 99-123, wherein at least one of
the one or more colors produced by a corresponding lens in the
array of lens cannot be resolved by an unaided eye.
125. The device of any of Examples 99-124, wherein the one or more
microstructures or the one or more nanostructures comprise a
plurality of microstructures, nanostructures, or combinations
thereof.
126. The device of any of Examples 99-125, wherein the one or more
microstructures or the one or more nanostructures are configured to
provide a same color.
127. The device of any of Examples 99-125, wherein the one or more
microstructures or the one or more nanostructures are configured to
provide different colors.
128. The device of Example 127, wherein the one or more
microstructures or the one or more nanostructures are configured to
provide different colors that combine to produce a single color as
perceived by the naked eye.
129. The device of Example 127, wherein the one or more
microstructures or the one or more nanostructures are configured to
provide different colors that combine to produce an achromatic
white appearance.
130. The device of any of Examples 100-129, wherein the array of
lenses comprises a 1D lenticular lens array.
131. The device of any of Examples 100-129, wherein the array of
lenses comprises a 2D array of lenses.
132. The device of any of Examples 100-131, wherein one of the
first segments of the plurality of first segments comprises
diffusing features.
133. The device of any of Examples 100-132, wherein one of the
second segments of the plurality of second segments comprises
diffusing features.
134. The device of Example 132 or 133, wherein the diffusing
features provide Lambertian reflectance.
135. The device of any of Examples 132-134, wherein the diffusing
features have an elliptical output.
136. The device of any of Examples 132-135, wherein the device
comprises a kinoform diffuser providing the diffusing features.
137. The device of any of Examples 132-136, wherein the diffusing
features comprise a brightness greater than 85 and a whiteness
index greater than 85.
138. The device of any of Examples 100-137, wherein one of the
first segments of the plurality of first segments comprises
specular reflecting features.
139. The device of any of Examples 100-138, wherein one of the
second segments of the plurality of second segments comprises
specular reflecting features.
140. The device of any of Examples 100-102, wherein the icon
comprises a half tone image.
141. The device of any of Examples 103-108, wherein the first or
second image comprises a half tone image.
142. The device of any of Examples 100-102 or Example 140, wherein
the icon comprises at least one alphanumeric character, a symbol,
an art image, graphic, or an object.
143. The device of any of Examples 103-108 or Example 141, wherein
the first or second image comprises at least one alphanumeric
character, a symbol, an art image, graphic, or an object.
144. The device of any of Examples 100-102 or Example 140 or
Example 142, wherein the background of the icon comprises a circle,
a square, a rectangle, a hexagon, an oval, a star, or a knurled
edge.
145. The device of any of Examples 103-108 or Example 141 or
Example 143, wherein the background of the first or second image
comprises a circle, a square, a rectangle, a hexagon, an oval, a
star, or a knurled edge.
146. The device of any of Examples 100-102 or Example 140 or
Example 142, wherein the background of the icon comprises a pattern
of alphanumeric characters, symbols, images, graphics, or
objects.
147. The device of any of Examples 103-108 or Example 141 or
Example 143, wherein the background of the first or second image
comprises a pattern of alphanumeric characters, symbols, images,
graphics, or objects.
148. The device of any of Examples 130-147, further comprising a
substrate having a first side and a second side opposite the first
side, wherein the array of lenses is disposed on the first side of
the substrate, and wherein the one or more microstructures or the
one or more nanostructures are disposed on the second side of the
substrate.
149. The device of any of Examples 100-148, wherein the device is
configured to provide authenticity verification on an item for
security.
150. The device of Example 149, wherein the item is a credit card,
a debit card, currency, a passport, a driver's license, an
identification card, a document, a temper evident container or
packaging, or a bottle of pharmaceuticals.
151. The device of any of Examples 100-150, wherein the device is a
security thread, a hot stamp feature, an embedded feature, a
windowed feature, or a laminated feature.
152. The device of any of Examples 100-151, further comprising
another optical element outside of the first and second
segments.
153. The device of any of Examples 100-152, further comprising
another optical element within of the first segment or the second
segment.
154. The device of Example 152 or Example 153, wherein the another
optical element comprises a holographic element, a diffractive
element, or a non-holographic non-diffractive element.
155. The device of any of Examples 100-154, wherein a first or
second segment comprises half tone.
156. The method of Example 98, further comprising using the master
to form one or more microstructure or one or more nanostructures
configured to provide one or more colors.
157. A method of fabricating a device of any of Examples 99-155,
the method comprising: preparing a master using an electron beam,
lithographic techniques, or etching; and using the master to form
the one or more microstructures or the one or more
nanostructures.
158. The method of Example 157, further comprising using the master
to form one or more specular reflecting features or diffusing
features.
159. The device of any of Examples 109-155, wherein the at least
one opal structure comprises at least one reverse opal
structure.
160. The device of any of Examples 109-155 or Example 159, wherein
the at least one opal structure comprises at least one positive
opal structure.
161. The device of any of Examples 109-155 or any of Examples
159-160, wherein the at least one opal structure comprises at least
one reflective opal structure.
162. The device of any of Examples 109-155 or any of Examples
159-161, wherein the at least one opal structure comprises at least
one transmissive opal structure.
163. The device of any of Examples 114-155 or any of Examples
159-162, wherein the at least one plasmonic structure comprises at
least one reflective plasmonic structure.
164. The device of any of Examples 114-155 or any of Examples
159-163, wherein the at least one plasmonic structure comprises at
least one transmissive plasmonic structure.
165. The device of any of Examples 99-155 or any of Examples
159-164, wherein the device is configured to provide a rendition of
an object's natural color through an icon or image.
166. The device of any of Examples 1-97 or any of Examples 99-155
or any of Examples 159-165, further comprising one or more
microstructures or one or more nanostructures configured to provide
one or more colors in a region other than said plurality of first
and second segments disposed under the array of lenses.
167. The device of Example 28, wherein the plurality of first and
second segments form a 2D image array, wherein each of the
plurality of first and second segments is disposed with respect to
a corresponding lens of the 2D array of lenses.
168. The device of Example 167, wherein the 2D array of lenses is
registered with the 2D image array such that a distance between
adjacent lenses of the 2D array of lenses is equal to a distance
between the corresponding segments that are disposed under the 2D
array of lenses.
169. The device of Example 167, wherein a distance between adjacent
lenses of the 2D array of lenses is less than or greater than a
distance between the corresponding segments that are disposed under
the 2D array of lenses such that pitch of the 2D array of lenses is
not equal to pitch of the 2D image array.
170. The device of Example 167, wherein the icon appear to move
laterally when the device is tilted such that the viewing angle
changes from the first viewing angle to the second viewing
angle.
171. The device of Example 167, wherein the icon appear at the
surface of the device or appear to float above or below the surface
of the device in the first or the second viewing angle.
172. An optical device comprising: a plurality of lenses forming an
array of lenses along a longitudinal axis; and a plurality of
portions disposed under the array of lenses, the plurality of
portions comprising two icons, wherein at a first viewing angle,
the array of lenses presents for viewing the first icon at a first
position and the second icon at a second position and at a second
viewing angle different from the first viewing angle, the array of
lenses presents for viewing the second icon at a third position
different from the second position.
173. The device of Example 172, wherein at the second viewing
angle, the array of lenses presents for viewing the first icon at a
fourth position different from the first position.
174. The device of Example 173, wherein at the second viewing
angle, the first icon appears to move from the first position to
the fourth position along a first direction and the second icon
appears to move from the second position to the third position
along a second direction different from the first direction.
175. The device of Example 173, wherein at the second viewing
angle, the first icon appears to move from the first position to
the fourth position along a first direction and the second icon
appears to move from the second position to the third position
along the first direction.
176. The device of Example 172, wherein at the second viewing
angle, the second icon appears to move closer to the first
icon.
177. The device of Example 172, wherein at the second viewing
angle, the second icon appears to move farther from the first
icon.
178. The device of any of Examples 172-177, wherein at least one of
the plurality of portions comprises one or more microstructures or
one or more nanostructures configured to provide one or more
colors.
179. The device of Example 178, wherein the one or more
microstructures or the one or more nanostructures comprise at least
one opal structure.
180. The device of Example 179, wherein the at least one opal
structure comprises at least one reverse opal structure.
181. The device of Example 179 or Example 180, wherein the at least
one opal structure comprises at least one positive opal
structure.
182. The device of any of Examples 178-181, wherein the one or more
microstructures or the one or more nanostructures comprise at least
one plasmonic structure.
183. The device of any of Examples 172-177, wherein the plurality
of portions comprise a first set of specular reflecting features or
diffusing features defining the first icon and second set of
specular reflecting features or diffusing features defining the
second icon.
184. The device of any of Examples 172-177, wherein the plurality
of lenses are arranged to form a two-dimensional lens grid and the
plurality of portions are arranged to form a two-dimensional image
grid such that each lens of the lens grid is disposed over a
corresponding portion of the image grid, and wherein distance
between consecutive portions of the image grid is not equal to
distance between the corresponding lenses of the lens grid disposed
over the consecutive portions.
185. The device of any of Examples 172-177, wherein the plurality
of lenses are arranged to form a two-dimensional lens grid and the
plurality of portions are arranged to form a two-dimensional image
grid such that each lens of the lens grid is disposed over a
corresponding portion of the image grid, and wherein the lens grid
is rotated with respect to the image grid
186. The device of any of Examples 1-185, wherein the diffusing
features and the specular reflecting features are coated with a
transparent high index material.
Additional Examples
1. An optical device comprising:
an array of lenses; and
a plurality of first and second segments disposed under the array
of lenses, the first segments corresponding to portions of an icon
and a background,
wherein at a first viewing angle, the array of lenses presents the
icon for viewing, and at a second viewing angle different from the
first viewing angle, the array of lenses does not present the icon
for viewing, wherein for the first segments, specular reflecting
features define the icon, and diffusely reflective features define
the background, or specular reflecting features define the
background, and diffusely reflective features define the icon, or
specular reflecting features define the icon, and diffusely
transmissive features define the background, or specular reflecting
features define the background, and diffusely transmissive features
define the icon, or transparent features define the icon, and
diffusely reflective features define the background, or transparent
features define the background, and diffusely reflective features
define the icon, or transparent features define icon, and diffusely
transmissive features define the background, or transparent
features define background, and diffusely transmissive features
define the icon, or specular reflecting features define the icon,
and transparent features define the background, or specular
reflecting features define the background, and transparent features
define the icon, or diffusely reflective features define the icon,
and diffusely transmissive features define the background, or
diffusely reflective features define the background, and diffusely
transmissive features define the icon, and wherein for the second
segments, the second segments comprise features similar to the
features defining the background of the first segments.
2. The device of Example 1, wherein for the first segments, the
specular reflecting features define the icon, and the diffusely
reflective features define the background.
3. The device of Example 1, wherein for the first segments, the
specular reflecting features define the background, and the
diffusely reflective features define the icon.
4. The device of Example 1, wherein for the first segments, the
specular reflecting features define the icon, and the diffusely
transmissive features define the background.
5. The device of Example 1, wherein for the first segments, the
specular reflecting features define the background, and the
diffusely transmissive features define the icon.
6. The device of Example 1, wherein for the first segments, the
transparent features define the icon, and the diffusely reflective
features define the background.
7. The device of Example 1, wherein for the first segments, the
transparent features define the background, and the diffusely
reflective features define the icon.
8. The device of Example 1, wherein for the first segments, the
transparent features define the icon, and the diffusely
transmissive features define the background.
9. The device of Example 1, wherein for the first segments, the
transparent features define the background, and the diffusely
transmissive features define the icon.
10. The device of Example 1, wherein for the first segments, the
specular reflecting features define the icon, and the transparent
features define the background.
11. The device of Example 1, wherein for the first segments, the
specular reflecting features define the background, and the
transparent features define the icon.
12. The device of Example 1, wherein for the first segments, the
diffusely reflective features define the icon, and the diffusely
transmissive features define the background.
13. The device of Example 1, wherein for the first segments, the
diffusely reflective features define the background, and the
diffusely transmissive features define the icon.
14. An optical device comprising: an array of lenses; and a
plurality of first and second segments disposed under the array of
lenses, the first segments corresponding to portions of a first
icon and a first background, and the second segments corresponding
to portions of a second icon and a second background, wherein at a
first viewing angle, the array of lenses presents for viewing the
first icon and the first background without presenting the second
icon for viewing, and at a second viewing angle different from the
first viewing angle, the array of lenses presents for viewing the
second icon and the second background without presenting the first
icon for viewing, wherein for the first segments, specular
reflecting features define the first icon, and diffusely reflective
features define the first background, or specular reflecting
features define the first background, and diffusely reflective
features define the first icon, or specular reflecting features
define the first icon, and diffusely transmissive features define
the first background, or specular reflecting features define the
first background, and diffusely transmissive features define the
first icon, or transparent features define the first icon, and
diffusely reflective features define the first background, or
transparent features define the first background, and diffusely
reflective features define the first icon, or transparent features
define first icon, and diffusely transmissive features define the
first background, or transparent features define first background,
and diffusely transmissive features define the first icon, or
specular reflecting features define the first icon, and transparent
features define the first background, or specular reflecting
features define the first background, and transparent features
define the first icon, or diffusely reflective features define the
first icon, and diffusely transmissive features define the first
background, or diffusely reflective features define the first
background, and diffusely transmissive features define the first
icon, and wherein for the second segments, specular reflecting
features define the second icon, and diffusely reflective features
define the second background, or specular reflecting features
define the second background, and diffusely reflective features
define the second icon, or specular reflecting features define the
second icon, and diffusely transmissive features define the second
background, or specular reflecting features define the second
background, and diffusely transmissive features define the second
icon, or transparent features define the second icon, and diffusely
reflective features define the second background, or transparent
features define the second background, and diffusely reflective
features define the second icon, or transparent features define
second icon, and diffusely transmissive features define the second
background, or transparent features define second background, and
diffusely transmissive features define the second icon, or specular
reflecting features define the second icon, and transparent
features define the second background, or specular reflecting
features define the second background, and transparent features
define the second icon, or diffusely reflective features define the
second icon, and diffusely transmissive features define the second
background, or diffusely reflective features define the second
background, and diffusely transmissive features define the second
icon.
15. The device of Example 14, wherein for the first segments, the
specular reflecting features define the first icon, and the
diffusely reflective features define the first background.
16. The device of Example 14, wherein for the first segments, the
specular reflecting features define the first background, and the
diffusely reflective features define the first icon.
17. The device of Example 14, wherein for the first segments, the
specular reflecting features define the first icon, and the
diffusely transmissive features define the first background.
18. The device of Example 14, wherein for the first segments, the
specular reflecting features define the first background, and the
diffusely transmissive features define the first icon.
19. The device of Example 14, wherein for the first segments, the
transparent features define the first icon, and the diffusely
reflective features define the first background.
20. The device of Example 14, wherein for the first segments, the
transparent features define the first background, and the diffusely
reflective features define the first icon.
21. The device of Example 14, wherein for the first segments, the
transparent features define the first icon, and the diffusely
transmissive features define the first background.
22. The device of Example 14, wherein for the first segments, the
transparent features define the first background, and the diffusely
transmissive features define the first icon.
23. The device of Example 14, wherein for the first segments, the
specular reflecting features define the first icon, and the
transparent features define the first background.
24. The device of Example 14, wherein for the first segments, the
specular reflecting features define the first background, and the
transparent features define the first icon.
25. The device of Example 14, wherein for the first segments, the
diffusely reflective features define the first icon, and the
diffusely transmissive features define the first background.
26. The device of Example 14, wherein for the first segments, the
diffusely reflective features define the first background, and the
diffusely transmissive features define the first icon.
27. The device of any of Examples 14-26, wherein for the second
segments, the specular reflecting features define the second icon,
and the diffusely reflective features define the second
background.
28. The device of any of Examples 14-26, wherein for the second
segments, the specular reflecting features define the second
background, and the diffusely reflective features define the second
icon.
29. The device of any of Examples 14-26, wherein for the second
segments, the specular reflecting features define the second icon,
and the diffusely transmissive features define the second
background.
30. The device of any of Examples 14-26, wherein for the second
segments, the specular reflecting features define the second
background, and the diffusely transmissive features define the
second icon.
31. The device of any of Examples 14-26, wherein for the second
segments, the transparent features define the second icon, and the
diffusely reflective features define the second background.
32. The device of any of Examples 14-26, wherein for the second
segments, the transparent features define the second background,
and the diffusely reflective features define the second icon.
33. The device of any of Examples 14-26, wherein for the second
segments, the transparent features define the second icon, and the
diffusely transmissive features define the second background.
34. The device of any of Examples 14-26, wherein for the second
segments, the transparent features define the second background,
and the diffusely transmissive features define the second icon.
35. The device of any of Examples 14-26, wherein for the second
segments, the specular reflecting features define the second icon,
and the transparent features define the second background.
36. The device of any of Examples 14-26, wherein for the second
segments, the specular reflecting features define the second
background, and the transparent features define the second
icon.
37. The device of any of Examples 14-26, wherein for the second
segments, the diffusely reflective features define the second icon,
and the diffusely transmissive features define the second
background.
38. The device of any of Examples 14-26, wherein for the second
segments, the diffusely reflective features define the second
background, and the diffusely transmissive features define the
second icon.
39. The device of any of Examples 1-38, further comprising a
substrate having a first side and a second side opposite the first
side, wherein the array of lenses is disposed on the first side of
the substrate, and wherein the first and second segments are
disposed on the second side of the substrate.
40. The device of Example 39, further comprising a layer of
material, wherein the first and second segments comprise
transparent or diffusely transmissive features, and wherein the
transparent or diffusely transmissive features are disposed over
the layer of material.
41. The device of Example 40, wherein the layer of material
comprises a transparent coating configured to provide an index
mismatch with the diffusely transmissive features.
42. The device of Example 41, wherein the coating comprises zinc
sulfide, titanium dioxide, tantalum pentoxide, zirconium dioxide,
or a combination thereof.
43. The device of Example 40, wherein the layer of material
comprises a window, and wherein the transparent or diffusely
transmissive features are disposed over the window.
44. The device of Example 43, wherein the window comprises a
coating.
45. The device of any of Examples 1-44, wherein the device is
configured to provide authenticity verification on an item for
security.
46. The device of Example 45, wherein the item is a credit card, a
debit card, currency, a passport, a driver's license, an
identification card, a document, a ticket, a tamper evident
container or packaging, or a bottle of pharmaceuticals.
47. The device of Example 45 or 46, further comprising at least one
transparent region disposed over information on the item.
48. The device of Example 47, wherein the at least one transparent
region is adjacent a metallized region.
49. The device of Example 47 or 48, wherein the information
comprises printed information, graphics, or a photograph.
50. An optical device comprising:
an array of lenses; and
a plurality of first and second segments disposed under the array
of lenses, the first segments corresponding to portions of an icon
and a background,
wherein at a first viewing angle, the array of lenses presents the
icon for viewing, and at a second viewing angle different from the
first viewing angle, the array of lenses does not present the icon
for viewing, wherein for the first segments, transparent features
define the icon, and non-transparent features define the
background, or transparent features define the background, and
non-transparent features define the icon, and wherein for the
second segments, the second segments comprise features similar to
the features defining the background of the first segments.
51. The device of Example 50, wherein for the first segments, the
transparent features define the icon, and the non-transparent
features define the background.
52. The device of Example 50, wherein for the first segments, the
transparent features define the background, and the non-transparent
features define the icon.
53. An optical device comprising: an array of lenses; and a
plurality of first and second segments disposed under the array of
lenses, the first segments corresponding to portions of a first
icon and a first background, and the second segments corresponding
to portions of a second icon and a second background, wherein at a
first viewing angle, the array of lenses presents for viewing the
first icon and the first background without presenting the second
icon for viewing, and at a second viewing angle different from the
first viewing angle, the array of lenses presents for viewing the
second icon and the second background without presenting the first
icon for viewing, wherein individual ones of the first and second
segments comprise transparent and non-transparent regions, wherein
for the first and second segments, the transparent regions define
the first and second icons, and the non-transparent regions define
the first and second backgrounds, or the non-transparent regions
define the first and second icons, and the transparent regions
define the first and second backgrounds.
54. The device of Example 53, wherein the transparent regions
define the first and second icon, and the non-transparent regions
define the first and second background.
55. The device of Example 53, wherein the non-transparent regions
define the first and second icon, and the transparent regions
define the first and second background.
56. The device of any of Examples 50-55, wherein the transparent
regions are laser ablated regions.
57. The device of any of Examples 50-56, wherein the
non-transparent regions are absorbing regions.
58. The device of any of Examples 50-56, wherein the
non-transparent regions are specular reflecting regions.
59. The device of any of Examples 50-58, further comprising a
substrate having a first side and a second side opposite the first
side, wherein the array of lenses is disposed on the first side of
the substrate, and wherein the first and second segments are
disposed on the second side of the substrate.
60. The device of Example 59, further comprising a layer of
material, wherein the transparent regions are disposed over the
layer of material.
61. The device of Example 60, wherein the layer of material
comprises a window, and wherein the transparent regions are
disposed over the window.
62. The device of Example 60, wherein the window comprises a
coating
63. The device of Example 60, wherein the layer of material
comprises a colored coating.
64. The device of Example 60, wherein the layer of material
comprises a flat or diffuse white coating.
65. The device of any of Examples 50-64, wherein the device is
configured to provide authenticity verification on an item for
security.
66. The device of Example 65, wherein the item is a credit card, a
debit card, currency, a passport, a driver's license, an
identification card, a document, a ticket, a tamper evident
container or packaging, or a bottle of pharmaceuticals.
67. The device of Example 65 or 66, further comprising an
additional transparent region disposed over information on the
item.
68. The device of Example 67, wherein the information comprises
printed information, graphics, or a photograph.
69. The device of any of Examples 1-49, wherein the device
comprises a kinoform diffuser providing the diffusely reflective
features or the diffusely transmissive features.
70. The device of any of Examples 1-49 or Example 69, wherein the
specular reflecting features are more reflective than
transmissive.
71. The device of any of Examples 1-49 or Examples 69-70, wherein
the transparent features are more transmissive than reflective.
72. The device of any of Examples 1-49 or any of Examples 69-71,
wherein the diffusely reflective features are more diffusely
reflective than diffusely transmissive.
73. The device of any of Examples 1-49 or any of Examples 69-72,
wherein the diffusely transmissive features are more diffusely
transmissive than diffusely reflective.
74. The device of any of the preceding Examples, wherein the array
of lenses comprises a 1D lenticular lens array.
75. The device of any of Examples 1-73, wherein the array of lenses
comprises a 2D array of lenses.
76. The device of any of Examples 1-75, wherein the device is
configured to provide authenticity verification on an item of
security comprising a paper base.
77. The device of any of Examples 1-75, wherein the device is
configured to provide authenticity verification on an item of
security comprising a polymer base.
78. The device of any of Examples 47-49 or any of Examples 67-68,
wherein the transparent region comprises a material having a
refractive index of about 1.8 to about 2.75.
79. The device of Example 78, wherein the material comprises zinc
sulfide, titanium dioxide, tantalum pentoxide, zirconium dioxide,
or a combination thereof.
80. An optical device comprising: at least one array of lenses; a
plurality of first and second segments having a length extending
along a first axis, the plurality of first and second segments
disposed under the at least one array of lenses, the first segments
corresponding to portions of a first icon and a first background,
wherein upon tilting the first and second segments about the first
axis at a first viewing angle, the at least one array of lenses
presents the first icon for viewing, wherein upon tilting the first
and second segments about the first axis at a second viewing angle
different from the first viewing angle, the at least one array of
lenses does not present the first icon for viewing; and a plurality
of third and fourth segments having a length extending along a
second axis different from the first axis, the plurality of third
and fourth segments disposed under the at least one array of
lenses, the third segments corresponding to portions of a second
icon and a second background, wherein upon tilting the third and
fourth segments about the second axis at third viewing angle, the
at least one array of lenses presents the second icon for viewing,
wherein upon tilting the third and fourth segments about the second
axis at a fourth viewing angle different from the third viewing
angle, the at least one array of lenses does not present the second
icon for viewing.
81. The device of Example 80, wherein the first axis and the second
axis are orthogonal to each other.
82. The device of Example 80 or 81, wherein the first axis is a
horizontal axis and the second axis is a vertical axis, or wherein
the first axis is a vertical axis and the second axis is a
horizontal axis.
83. The device of any of Examples 80-82, wherein the plurality of
first and second segments is laterally displaced from the plurality
of third and fourth segments.
84. The device of any of Examples 80-83, wherein the plurality of
first and second segments forms a 1D segment array such that
individual ones of the first and second segments are disposed under
a plurality of corresponding lenses of the at least one array of
lenses.
85. The device of any of Examples 80-84, wherein the plurality of
third and fourth segments forms a 1D segment array such that
individual ones of the third and fourth segments are disposed under
a plurality of corresponding lenses of the at least one array of
lenses.
86. The device of any of Examples 80-85, wherein for the first
segments, specular reflecting features define the first icon, and
diffusely reflective features define the first background, or
specular reflecting features define the first background, and
diffusely reflective features define the first icon, or specular
reflecting features define the first icon, and diffusely
transmissive features define the first background, or specular
reflecting features define the first background, and diffusely
transmissive features define the first icon, or transparent
features define the first icon, and diffusely reflective features
define the first background, or transparent features define the
first background, and diffusely reflective features define the
first icon, or transparent features define first icon, and
diffusely transmissive features define the first background, or
transparent features define first background, and diffusely
transmissive features define the first icon, or specular reflecting
features define the first icon, and transparent features define the
first background, or specular reflecting features define the first
background, and transparent features define the first icon, or
diffusely reflective features define the first icon, and diffusely
transmissive features define the first background, or diffusely
reflective features define the first background, and diffusely
transmissive features define the first icon, and wherein for the
second segments, the second segments comprise features similar to
the features defining the first background of the first
segments.
87. The device of Example 86, wherein for the third segments,
specular reflecting features define the second icon, and diffusely
reflective features define the second background, or specular
reflecting features define the second background, and diffusely
reflective features define the second icon, or specular reflecting
features define the second icon, and diffusely transmissive
features define the second background, or specular reflecting
features define the second background, and diffusely transmissive
features define the second icon, or transparent features define the
second icon, and diffusely reflective features define the second
background, or transparent features define the second background,
and diffusely reflective features define the second icon, or
transparent features define second icon, and diffusely transmissive
features define the second background, or transparent features
define second background, and diffusely transmissive features
define the second icon, or specular reflecting features define the
second icon, and transparent features define the second background,
or specular reflecting features define the second background, and
transparent features define the second icon, or diffusely
reflective features define the second icon, and diffusely
transmissive features define the second background, or diffusely
reflective features define the second background, and diffusely
transmissive features define the second icon, and wherein for the
fourth segments, the fourth segments comprise features similar to
the features defining the second background of the third
segments.
88. The device of any of Examples 80-85, wherein the second
segments correspond to portions of a third icon and a third
background, wherein upon tilting the first and second segments
about the first axis at the first viewing angle, the at least one
array of lenses does not present the third icon for viewing, and
wherein upon tilting the first and second segments about the first
axis at the second viewing angle, the at least one array of lenses
presents the third icon for viewing.
89. The device of Example 88, wherein for the first segments,
specular reflecting features define the first icon, and diffusely
reflective features define the first background, or specular
reflecting features define the first background, and diffusely
reflective features define the first icon, or specular reflecting
features define the first icon, and diffusely transmissive features
define the first background, or specular reflecting features define
the first background, and diffusely transmissive features define
the first icon, or transparent features define the first icon, and
diffusely reflective features define the first background, or
transparent features define the first background, and diffusely
reflective features define the first icon, or transparent features
define first icon, and diffusely transmissive features define the
first background, or transparent features define first background,
and diffusely transmissive features define the first icon, or
specular reflecting features define the first icon, and transparent
features define the first background, or specular reflecting
features define the first background, and transparent features
define the first icon, or diffusely reflective features define the
first icon, and diffusely transmissive features define the first
background, or diffusely reflective features define the first
background, and diffusely transmissive features define the first
icon, and wherein for the second segments, specular reflecting
features define the third icon, and diffusely reflective features
define the third background, or specular reflecting features define
the third background, and diffusely reflective features define the
third icon, or specular reflecting features define the third icon,
and diffusely transmissive features define the third background, or
specular reflecting features define the third background, and
diffusely transmissive features define the third icon, or
transparent features define the third icon, and diffusely
reflective features define the third background, or transparent
features define the third background, and diffusely reflective
features define the third icon, or transparent features define
third icon, and diffusely transmissive features define the third
background, or transparent features define third background, and
diffusely transmissive features define the third icon, or specular
reflecting features define the third icon, and transparent features
define the third background, or specular reflecting features define
the third background, and transparent features define the third
icon, or diffusely reflective features define the third icon, and
diffusely transmissive features define the third background, or
diffusely reflective features define the third background, and
diffusely transmissive features define the third icon.
90. The device of Example 86, wherein the fourth segments
correspond to portions of a third icon and a third background,
wherein upon tilting the third and fourth segments about the second
axis at the third viewing angle, the at least one array of lenses
does not present the third icon for viewing, and wherein upon
tilting the third and fourth segments about the second axis at the
fourth viewing angle, the at least one array of lenses presents the
third icon for viewing.
91. The device of Example 90, wherein for the third segments,
specular reflecting features define the second icon, and diffusely
reflective features define the second background, or specular
reflecting features define the second background, and diffusely
reflective features define the second icon, or specular reflecting
features define the second icon, and diffusely transmissive
features define the second background, or specular reflecting
features define the second background, and diffusely transmissive
features define the second icon, or transparent features define the
second icon, and diffusely reflective features define the second
background, or transparent features define the second background,
and diffusely reflective features define the second icon, or
transparent features define second icon, and diffusely transmissive
features define the second background, or transparent features
define second background, and diffusely transmissive features
define the second icon, or specular reflecting features define the
second icon, and transparent features define the second background,
or specular reflecting features define the second background, and
transparent features define the second icon, or diffusely
reflective features define the second icon, and diffusely
transmissive features define the second background, or diffusely
reflective features define the second background, and diffusely
transmissive features define the second icon, and wherein for the
fourth segments, specular reflecting features define the third
icon, and diffusely reflective features define the third
background, or specular reflecting features define the third
background, and diffusely reflective features define the third
icon, or specular reflecting features define the third icon, and
diffusely transmissive features define the third background, or
specular reflecting features define the third background, and
diffusely transmissive features define the third icon, or
transparent features define the third icon, and diffusely
reflective features define the third background, or transparent
features define the third background, and diffusely reflective
features define the third icon, or transparent features define
third icon, and diffusely transmissive features define the third
background, or transparent features define third background, and
diffusely transmissive features define the third icon, or specular
reflecting features define the third icon, and transparent features
define the third background, or specular reflecting features define
the third background, and transparent features define the third
icon, or diffusely reflective features define the third icon, and
diffusely transmissive features define the third background, or
diffusely reflective features define the third background, and
diffusely transmissive features define the third icon.
92. The device of Example 88 or 89, wherein the fourth segments
correspond to portions of a fourth icon and a fourth background,
wherein upon tilting the third and fourth segments about the second
axis at the third viewing angle, the at least one array of lenses
does not present the fourth icon for viewing, and wherein upon
tilting the third and fourth segments about the second axis at the
fourth viewing angle, the at least one array of lenses presents the
fourth icon for viewing.
93. The device of Example 92, wherein for the third segments,
specular reflecting features define the second icon, and diffusely
reflective features define the second background, or specular
reflecting features define the second background, and diffusely
reflective features define the second icon, or specular reflecting
features define the second icon, and diffusely transmissive
features define the second background, or specular reflecting
features define the second background, and diffusely transmissive
features define the second icon, or transparent features define the
second icon, and diffusely reflective features define the second
background, or transparent features define the second background,
and diffusely reflective features define the second icon, or
transparent features define second icon, and diffusely transmissive
features define the second background, or transparent features
define second background, and diffusely transmissive features
define the second icon, or specular reflecting features define the
second icon, and transparent features define the second background,
or specular reflecting features define the second background, and
transparent features define the second icon, or diffusely
reflective features define the second icon, and diffusely
transmissive features define the second background, or diffusely
reflective features define the second background, and diffusely
transmissive features define the second icon, and wherein for the
fourth segments, specular reflecting features define the fourth
icon, and diffusely reflective features define the fourth
background, or specular reflecting features define the fourth
background, and diffusely reflective features define the fourth
icon, or specular reflecting features define the fourth icon, and
diffusely transmissive features define the fourth background, or
specular reflecting features define the fourth background, and
diffusely transmissive features define the fourth icon, or
transparent features define the fourth icon, and diffusely
reflective features define the fourth background, or transparent
features define the fourth background, and diffusely reflective
features define the fourth icon, or transparent features define
fourth icon, and diffusely transmissive features define the fourth
background, or transparent features define fourth background, and
diffusely transmissive features define the fourth icon, or specular
reflecting features define the fourth icon, and transparent
features define the fourth background, or specular reflecting
features define the fourth background, and transparent features
define the fourth icon, or diffusely reflective features define the
fourth icon, and diffusely transmissive features define the fourth
background, or diffusely reflective features define the fourth
background, and diffusely transmissive features define the fourth
icon.
94. The device of any of Examples 80-93, further comprising: a
plurality of additional segments forming a 2D image array of a
plurality of additional icons, the plurality of additional segments
disposed under the at least one array of lenses, individual ones of
the plurality of additional segments disposed with respect to a
corresponding lens of the at least one array of lenses, wherein the
at least one array of lenses presents the plurality of additional
icons for viewing.
95. The device of Example 94, wherein the plurality of additional
segments is laterally displaced from the plurality of first and
second segments or from the plurality of third and fourth
segments.
96. The device of Example 94 or 95, wherein a distance between
adjacent lenses of the at least one array of lenses is equal to a
distance between the corresponding additional segments that are
disposed under the at least one array of lenses.
97. The device of Example 94 or 95, wherein a distance between
adjacent lenses of the at least one array of lenses is less than or
greater than a distance between the corresponding additional
segments that are disposed under the at least one array of lenses
such that pitch of the at least one array of lenses is not equal to
pitch of the 2D image array.
98. The device of Example 97, wherein the pitch of the at least one
array of lenses is greater than the pitch of the 2D image array
such that the plurality of additional icons appears below or behind
the surface of the device.
99. The device of Example 97, wherein the pitch of the at least one
array of lenses is less than the pitch of the 2D image array such
that the plurality of additional icons appears above or in front of
the surface of the device.
100. An optical device comprising: at least one array of lenses; a
plurality of first and second segments having a length extending
along a first axis, the plurality of first and second segments
disposed under the at least one array of lenses, the first segments
corresponding to portions of a first icon and a first background,
wherein upon tilting the first and second segments about the first
axis at a first viewing angle, the at least one array of lenses
presents the first icon for viewing, wherein upon tilting the first
and second segments about the first axis at a second viewing angle
different from the first viewing angle, the at least one array of
lenses does not present the first icon for viewing; and a plurality
of additional segments forming a 2D image array of a plurality of
additional icons, the plurality of additional segments disposed
under the at least one array of lenses, individual ones of the
plurality of additional segments disposed with respect to a
corresponding lens of the at least one array of lenses, wherein the
at least one array of lenses presents the plurality of additional
icons for viewing.
101. The device of Example 100, wherein the plurality of additional
segments is laterally displaced from the plurality of first and
second segments.
102. The device of Example 100 or 101, wherein the plurality of
first and second segments forms a 1D segment array such that
individual ones of the first and second segments are disposed under
a plurality of corresponding lenses of the at least one array of
lenses.
103. The device of any of Examples 100-102, wherein a distance
between adjacent lenses of the at least one array of lenses is
equal to a distance between the corresponding additional segments
that are disposed under the at least one array of lenses.
104. The device of any of Examples 100-102, wherein a distance
between adjacent lenses of the at least one array of lenses is less
than or greater than a distance between the corresponding
additional segments that are disposed under the at least one array
of lenses such that pitch of the at least one array of lenses is
not equal to pitch of the 2D image array.
105. The device of Example 104, wherein the pitch of the at least
one array of lenses is greater than the pitch of the 2D image array
such that the plurality of additional icons appears below or behind
the surface of the device.
106. The device of Example 104, wherein the pitch of the at least
one array of lenses is less than the pitch of the 2D image array
such that the plurality of additional icons appears above or in
front of the surface of the device.
107. The device of any of Examples 100-106, wherein for the first
segments, specular reflecting features define the first icon, and
diffusely reflective features define the first background, or
specular reflecting features define the first background, and
diffusely reflective features define the first icon, or specular
reflecting features define the first icon, and diffusely
transmissive features define the first background, or specular
reflecting features define the first background, and diffusely
transmissive features define the first icon, or transparent
features define the first icon, and diffusely reflective features
define the first background, or transparent features define the
first background, and diffusely reflective features define the
first icon, or transparent features define first icon, and
diffusely transmissive features define the first background, or
transparent features define first background, and diffusely
transmissive features define the first icon, or specular reflecting
features define the first icon, and transparent features define the
first background, or specular reflecting features define the first
background, and transparent features define the first icon, or
diffusely reflective features define the first icon, and diffusely
transmissive features define the first background, or diffusely
reflective features define the first background, and diffusely
transmissive features define the first icon, and wherein for the
second segments, the second segments comprise features similar to
the features defining the first background of the first
segments.
108. The device of any of Examples 100-106, wherein the second
segments correspond to portions of a second icon and a second
background, wherein upon tilting the first and second segments
about the first axis at the first viewing angle, the at least one
array of lenses does not present the second icon for viewing, and
wherein upon tilting the first and second segments about the first
axis at the second viewing angle, the at least one array of lenses
presents the second icon for viewing.
109. The device of Example 108, wherein for the first segments,
specular reflecting features define the first icon, and diffusely
reflective features define the first background, or specular
reflecting features define the first background, and diffusely
reflective features define the first icon, or specular reflecting
features define the first icon, and diffusely transmissive features
define the first background, or specular reflecting features define
the first background, and diffusely transmissive features define
the first icon, or transparent features define the first icon, and
diffusely reflective features define the first background, or
transparent features define the first background, and diffusely
reflective features define the first icon, or transparent features
define first icon, and diffusely transmissive features define the
first background, or transparent features define first background,
and diffusely transmissive features define the first icon, or
specular reflecting features define the first icon, and transparent
features define the first background, or specular reflecting
features define the first background, and transparent features
define the first icon, or diffusely reflective features define the
first icon, and diffusely transmissive features define the first
background, or diffusely reflective features define the first
background, and diffusely transmissive features define the first
icon, and wherein for the second segments, specular reflecting
features define the second icon, and diffusely reflective features
define the second background, or specular reflecting features
define the second background, and diffusely reflective features
define the second icon, or specular reflecting features define the
second icon, and diffusely transmissive features define the second
background, or specular reflecting features define the second
background, and diffusely transmissive features define the second
icon, or transparent features define the second icon, and diffusely
reflective features define the second background, or transparent
features define the second background, and diffusely reflective
features define the second icon, or transparent features define
second icon, and diffusely transmissive features define the second
background, or transparent features define second background, and
diffusely transmissive features define the second icon, or specular
reflecting features define the second icon, and transparent
features define the second background, or specular reflecting
features define the second background, and transparent features
define the second icon, or diffusely reflective features define the
second icon, and diffusely transmissive features define the second
background, or diffusely reflective features define the second
background, and diffusely transmissive features define the second
icon.
110. An optical device comprising: at least one array of lenses; a
plurality of first segments forming a first 2D image array of a
plurality of first icons, the plurality of first segments disposed
under the at least one array of lenses, individual ones of the
plurality of first segments disposed with respect to a
corresponding lens of the at least one array of lenses, wherein the
at least one array of lenses presents the plurality of first icons
for viewing; and a plurality of second segments forming a second 2D
image array of a plurality of second icons, the plurality of second
segments disposed under the at least one array of lenses,
individual ones of the plurality of second segments disposed with
respect to a corresponding lens of the at least one array of
lenses, wherein the at least one array of lenses presents the
plurality of second icons for viewing, wherein the plurality of
first segments produces a different optical effect than the
plurality of second segments or wherein the plurality of first
segments is spaced apart from the plurality of second segments by a
region that produces a different optical effect than the plurality
of first or second segments.
111. The device of Example 110, wherein the different optical
effect comprises a difference in size, shape, color, or
texture.
112. The device of Example 110 or 111, wherein the plurality of
second segments is laterally displaced from the plurality of first
segments.
113. The device of any of Examples 110-112, wherein a distance
between adjacent lenses of the at least one array of lenses is
equal to a distance between the corresponding first segments that
are disposed under the at least one array of lenses.
114. The device of any of Examples 110-112, wherein a distance
between adjacent lenses of the at least one array of lenses is less
than or greater than a distance between the corresponding first
segments that are disposed under the at least one array of lenses
such that pitch of the at least one array of lenses is not equal to
pitch of the first 2D image array.
115. The device of Example 114, wherein the pitch of the at least
one array of lenses is greater than the pitch of the first 2D image
array such that the plurality of first icons appears below or
behind the surface of the device.
116. The device of Example 114, wherein the pitch of the at least
one array of lenses is less than the pitch of the first 2D image
array such that the plurality of first icons appears above or in
front of the surface of the device.
117. The device of any of Examples 110-116, wherein a distance
between adjacent lenses of the at least one array of lenses is
equal to a distance between the corresponding second segments that
are disposed under the at least one array of lenses.
118. The device of any of Examples 110-116, wherein a distance
between adjacent lenses of the at least one array of lenses is less
than or greater than a distance between the corresponding second
segments that are disposed under the at least one array of lenses
such that pitch of the at least one array of lenses is not equal to
pitch of the second 2D image array.
119. The device of Example 118, wherein the pitch of the at least
one array of lenses is greater than the pitch of the second 2D
image array such that the plurality of second icons appears below
or behind the surface of the device.
120. The device of Example 118, wherein the pitch of the at least
one array of lenses is less than the pitch of the second 2D image
array such that the plurality of second icons appears above or in
front of the surface of the device.
121. The device of any of Examples 80-120, wherein at least one
array of lenses comprises multiple arrays of lenses.
122. The device of any of Examples 80-120, wherein the at least one
array of lenses comprises a single 2D array of lenses.
123. The device of any of Examples 80-122, wherein the device is
configured to provide authenticity verification on an item for
security.
124. The device of Example 123, wherein the item is a credit card,
a debit card, currency, a passport, a driver's license, an
identification card, a document, a ticket, a tamper evident
container or packaging, or a bottle of pharmaceuticals.
125. The device of Example 123 or 124, further comprising at least
one transparent region disposed over information on the item.
126. The device of Example 125, wherein the at least one
transparent region is adjacent a metallized region.
127. The device of Example 125 or 126, wherein the information
comprises printed information, graphics, or a photograph.
128. The device of any of Examples 125-127, wherein the transparent
region comprises a material having a refractive index of about 1.8
to about 2.75.
129. The device of Example 128, wherein the material comprises zinc
sulfide, titanium dioxide, tantalum pentoxide, zirconium dioxide,
or a combination thereof.
130. The device of any of Examples 80-129, wherein the device is
configured to provide authenticity verification on an item of
security comprising a paper base.
131. The device of any of Examples 80-129, wherein the device is
configured to provide authenticity verification on an item of
security comprising a polymer base.
132. The device of any of Examples 94-95 or any of Examples
100-102, wherein the plurality of additional icons appears above or
in front of the surface of the device.
133. The device of Example 132, wherein the plurality of additional
icons appears to move to the right of the device when an observer
moves to the left of the device.
134. The device of any of Examples 94-95 or any of Examples
100-102, wherein the plurality of additional icons appears below or
behind the surface of the device.
135. The device of Example 134, wherein the plurality of additional
icons appears to move to the left of the device when an observer
moves to the left of the device.
136. The device of any of Examples 110-112, wherein the plurality
of first icons appears above or in front of the surface of the
device.
137. The device of Example 136, wherein the plurality of first
icons appears to move to the right of the device when an observer
moves to the left of the device.
138. The device of any of Examples 110-112, wherein the plurality
of first icons appears below or behind the surface of the
device.
139. The device of Example 138, wherein the plurality of first
icons appears to move to the left of the device when an observer
moves to the left of the device.
140. The device of any of Examples 136-139, wherein the plurality
of second icons appears above or in front of the surface of the
device.
141. The device of Example 140, wherein the plurality of second
icons appears to move to the right of the device when an observer
moves to the left of the device.
142. The device of any of Examples 136-139, wherein the plurality
of second icons appears below or behind the surface of the
device.
143. The device of Example 142, wherein the plurality of second
icons appears to move to the left of the device when an observer
moves to the left of the device.
144. An optical array thin film device, comprising: a first image;
and a second image, wherein upon tilting the device away or toward
an observer, the first image flips to a third image, and wherein
upon tilting the device from side to side, the second image flips
to a fourth image.
145. The device of Example 144, wherein the second image is
adjacent to the first image.
146. The device of any of Examples 144-145, wherein the first,
second, third, and fourth images are different from one
another.
147. The device of any of Examples 144-145, wherein the first image
matches the third or fourth image at a tilting angle.
148. The device of any of Examples 144-145 or 147, wherein the
second image matches the first or second image at a tilting
angle.
149. The device of any of Examples 144-148, wherein at least one of
the first, second, third, or fourth images comprises an icon,
wherein the icon appears bright against a darker diffuse background
at an angle of specular observation.
150. The device of any of Examples 144-149, wherein at least one of
the first, second, third, or fourth images comprises an icon,
wherein the icon appears dark against a brighter diffuse background
at an angle of off-specular observation.
151. The device of any of Examples 144-150, wherein the device
comprises one or more of specular reflecting, diffusely reflecting,
transmissive, or diffusely transmissive features configured to
define the first, second, third, or fourth images.
152. The device of any of Examples 144-151, further comprising at
least one array of lenses
153. The device of Example 152, wherein the at least one array of
lenses comprises multiple arrays of lenses.
154. The device of Example 152, wherein the at least one array of
lenses comprises a 2D array of lenses.
155. The device of any of Examples 1-13, further comprising: a
plurality of third and fourth segments disposed under the array of
lenses, the third segments corresponding to portions of a second
icon and a second background, wherein at a third viewing angle, the
array of lenses presents the second icon for viewing, and at a
fourth viewing angle different from the third viewing angle, the
array of lenses does not present the second icon for viewing, and
wherein the difference in the first and second viewing angles is
different than the difference in the third and fourth viewing
angles.
156. The device of Example 155, wherein the difference in the first
and second viewing angles is larger than the difference in the
third and fourth viewing angles.
157. The device of Example 155, wherein the difference in the first
and second viewing angles is smaller than the difference in the
third and fourth viewing angles.
158. The device of any of Examples 155-157, wherein for the third
segments, specular reflecting features define the second icon, and
diffusely reflective features define the second background, or
specular reflecting features define the second background, and
diffusely reflective features define the second icon, or specular
reflecting features define the second icon, and diffusely
transmissive features define the second background, or specular
reflecting features define the second background, and diffusely
transmissive features define the second icon, or transparent
features define the second icon, and diffusely reflective features
define the second background, or transparent features define the
second background, and diffusely reflective features define the
second icon, or transparent features define second icon, and
diffusely transmissive features define the second background, or
transparent features define second background, and diffusely
transmissive features define the second icon, or specular
reflecting features define the second icon, and transparent
features define the second background, or specular reflecting
features define the second background, and transparent features
define the second icon, or diffusely reflective features define the
second icon, and diffusely transmissive features define the second
background, or diffusely reflective features define the second
background, and diffusely transmissive features define the second
icon, and wherein for the fourth segments, the fourth segments
comprise features similar to the features defining the background
of the thirds segments.
159. The device of any of Examples 155-158, wherein for the third
segments, the specular reflecting features define the second icon,
and the diffusely reflective features define the second
background.
160. The device of any of Examples 155-158, wherein for the third
segments, the specular reflecting features define the second
background, and the diffusely reflective features define the second
icon.
161. The device of any of Examples 155-158, wherein for the third
segments, the specular reflecting features define the second icon,
and the diffusely transmissive features define the second
background.
162. The device of any of Examples 155-158, wherein for the third
segments, the specular reflecting features define the second
background, and the diffusely transmissive features define the
second icon.
163. The device of any of Examples 155-158, wherein for the third
segments, the transparent features define the second icon, and the
diffusely reflective features define the second background.
164. The device of any of Examples 155-158, wherein for the third
segments, the transparent features define the second background,
and the diffusely reflective features define the second icon.
165. The device of any of Examples 155-158, wherein for the third
segments, the transparent features define the second icon, and the
diffusely transmissive features define the second background.
166. The device of any of Examples 155-158, wherein for the third
segments, the transparent features define the second background,
and the diffusely transmissive features define the second icon.
167. The device of any of Examples 155-158, wherein for the third
segments, the specular reflecting features define the second icon,
and the transparent features define the second background.
168. The device of any of Examples 155-158, wherein for the third
segments, the specular reflecting features define the second
background, and the transparent features define the second
icon.
169. The device of any of Examples 155-158, wherein for the third
segments, the diffusely reflective features define the second icon,
and the diffusely transmissive features define the second
background.
170. The device of any of Examples 155-158, wherein for the third
segments, the diffusely reflective features define the second
background, and the diffusely transmissive features define the
second icon.
171. The device of any of Examples 1-13, further comprising: a
plurality of third and fourth segments disposed under the array of
lenses, the third segments corresponding to portions of a second
icon and a second background, and the fourth segments corresponding
to portions of a third icon and a third background, wherein at a
third viewing angle, the array of lenses presents for viewing the
second icon and the second background without presenting the third
icon for viewing, and at a fourth viewing angle different from the
third viewing angle, the array of lenses presents for viewing the
third icon and the third background without presenting the second
icon for viewing, wherein the difference in the first and second
viewing angles is different than the difference in the third and
fourth viewing angles.
172. The device of Example 171, wherein the difference in the first
and second viewing angles is larger than the difference in the
third and fourth viewing angles.
173. The device of Example 171, wherein the difference in the first
and second viewing angles is smaller than the difference in the
third and fourth viewing angles.
174. The device of any of Examples 171-173, wherein the third
background at the fourth viewing angle appears the same in outer
shape, size, and brightness as the second background at the third
viewing angle.
175. The device of any of Examples 171-174, wherein for the third
segments, specular reflecting features define the second icon, and
diffusely reflective features define the second background, or
specular reflecting features define the second background, and
diffusely reflective features define the second icon, or specular
reflecting features define the second icon, and diffusely
transmissive features define the second background, or specular
reflecting features define the second background, and diffusely
transmissive features define the second icon, or transparent
features define the second icon, and diffusely reflective features
define the second background, or transparent features define the
second background, and diffusely reflective features define the
second icon, or transparent features define second icon, and
diffusely transmissive features define the second background, or
transparent features define second background, and diffusely
transmissive features define the second icon, or specular
reflecting features define the second icon, and transparent
features define the second background, or specular reflecting
features define the second background, and transparent features
define the second icon, or diffusely reflective features define the
second icon, and diffusely transmissive features define the second
background, or diffusely reflective features define the second
background, and diffusely transmissive features define the second
icon, and wherein for the fourth segments, specular reflecting
features define the third icon, and diffusely reflective features
define the third background, or specular reflecting features define
the third background, and diffusely reflective features define the
third icon, or specular reflecting features define the third icon,
and diffusely transmissive features define the third background, or
specular reflecting features define the third background, and
diffusely transmissive features define the third icon, or
transparent features define the third icon, and diffusely
reflective features define the third background, or transparent
features define the third background, and diffusely reflective
features define the third icon, or transparent features define
third icon, and diffusely transmissive features define the third
background, or transparent features define third background, and
diffusely transmissive features define the third icon, or specular
reflecting features define the third icon, and transparent features
define the third background, or specular reflecting features define
the third background, and transparent features define the third
icon, or diffusely reflective features define the third icon, and
diffusely transmissive features define the third background, or
diffusely reflective features define the third background, and
diffusely transmissive features define the third icon.
176. The device of Example 175, wherein for the third segments, the
specular reflecting features define the second icon, and the
diffusely reflective features define the second background.
177. The device of Example 175, wherein for the third segments, the
specular reflecting features define the second background, and the
diffusely reflective features define the second icon.
178. The device of Example 175, wherein for the third segments, the
specular reflecting features define the second icon, and the
diffusely transmissive features define the second background.
179. The device of Example 175, wherein for the third segments, the
specular reflecting features define the second background, and the
diffusely transmissive features define the second icon.
180. The device of Example 175, wherein for the third segments, the
transparent features define the second icon, and the diffusely
reflective features define the second background.
181. The device of Example 175, wherein for the third segments, the
transparent features define the second background, and the
diffusely reflective features define the second icon.
182. The device of Example 175, wherein for the third segments, the
transparent features define the second icon, and the diffusely
transmissive features define the second background.
183. The device of Example 175, wherein for the third segments, the
transparent features define the second background, and the
diffusely transmissive features define the second icon.
184. The device of Example 175, wherein for the third segments, the
specular reflecting features define the second icon, and the
transparent features define the second background.
185. The device of Example 175, wherein for the third segments, the
specular reflecting features define the second background, and the
transparent features define the second icon.
186. The device of Example 175, wherein for the third segments, the
diffusely reflective features define the second icon, and the
diffusely transmissive features define the second background.
187. The device of Example 175, wherein for the third segments, the
diffusely reflective features define the second background, and the
diffusely transmissive features define the second icon.
188. The device of any of Examples 175-187, wherein for the fourth
segments, the specular reflecting features define the third icon,
and the diffusely reflective features define the third
background.
189. The device of any of Examples 175-187, wherein for the fourth
segments, the specular reflecting features define the third
background, and the diffusely reflective features define the third
icon.
190. The device of any of Examples 175-187, wherein for the fourth
segments, the specular reflecting features define the third icon,
and the diffusely transmissive features define the third
background.
191. The device of any of Examples 175-187, wherein for the fourth
segments, the specular reflecting features define the third
background, and the diffusely transmissive features define the
third icon.
192. The device of any of Examples 175-187, wherein for the fourth
segments, the transparent features define the third icon, and the
diffusely reflective features define the third background.
193. The device of any of Examples 175-187, wherein for the fourth
segments, the transparent features define the third background, and
the diffusely reflective features define the third icon.
194. The device of any of Examples 175-187, wherein for the fourth
segments, the transparent features define the third icon, and the
diffusely transmissive features define the third background.
195. The device of any of Examples 175-187, wherein for the fourth
segments, the transparent features define the third background, and
the diffusely transmissive features define the third icon.
196. The device of any of Examples 175-187, wherein for the fourth
segments, the specular reflecting features define the third icon,
and the transparent features define the third background.
197. The device of any of Examples 175-187, wherein for the fourth
segments, the specular reflecting features define the third
background, and the transparent features define the third icon.
198. The device of any of Examples 175-187, wherein for the fourth
segments, the diffusely reflective features define the third icon,
and the diffusely transmissive features define the third
background.
199. The device of any of Examples 175-187, wherein for the fourth
segments, the diffusely reflective features define the third
background, and the diffusely transmissive features define the
third icon.
200. The device of any of Examples 14-49, further comprising: a
plurality of third and fourth segments disposed under the array of
lenses, the third segments corresponding to portions of a third
icon and a third background, and the fourth segments corresponding
to portions of a fourth icon and a fourth background, wherein at a
third viewing angle, the array of lenses presents for viewing the
third icon and the third background without presenting the fourth
icon for viewing, and at a fourth viewing angle different from the
third viewing angle, the array of lenses presents for viewing the
fourth icon and the fourth background without presenting the third
icon for viewing, wherein the difference in the first and second
viewing angles is different than the difference in the third and
fourth viewing angles.
201. The device of Example 200, wherein the difference in the first
and second viewing angles is larger than the difference in the
third and fourth viewing angles.
202. The device of Example 200, wherein the difference in the first
and second viewing angles is smaller than the difference in the
third and fourth viewing angles.
203. The device of any of Examples 200-202, wherein the second
background at the second viewing angle appears the same in outer
shape, size, and brightness as the first background at the first
viewing angle.
204. The device of any of Examples 200-203, wherein the fourth
background at the fourth viewing angle appears the same in outer
shape, size, and brightness as the third background at the third
viewing angle.
205. The device of any of Examples 200-204, wherein for the third
segments, specular reflecting features define the third icon, and
diffusely reflective features define the third background, or
specular reflecting features define the third background, and
diffusely reflective features define the third icon, or specular
reflecting features define the third icon, and diffusely
transmissive features define the third background, or specular
reflecting features define the third background, and diffusely
transmissive features define the third icon, or transparent
features define the third icon, and diffusely reflective features
define the third background, or transparent features define the
third background, and diffusely reflective features define the
third icon, or transparent features define third icon, and
diffusely transmissive features define the third background, or
transparent features define third background, and diffusely
transmissive features define the third icon, or specular reflecting
features define the third icon, and transparent features define the
third background, or specular reflecting features define the third
background, and transparent features define the third icon, or
diffusely reflective features define the third icon, and diffusely
transmissive features define the third background, or diffusely
reflective features define the third background, and diffusely
transmissive features define the third icon, and wherein for the
fourth segments, specular reflecting features define the fourth
icon, and diffusely reflective features define the fourth
background, or specular reflecting features define the fourth
background, and diffusely reflective features define the fourth
icon, or specular reflecting features define the fourth icon, and
diffusely transmissive features define the fourth background, or
specular reflecting features define the fourth background, and
diffusely transmissive features define the fourth icon, or
transparent features define the fourth icon, and diffusely
reflective features define the fourth background, or transparent
features define the fourth background, and diffusely reflective
features define the fourth icon, or transparent features define
fourth icon, and diffusely transmissive features define the fourth
background, or transparent features define fourth background, and
diffusely transmissive features define the fourth icon, or specular
reflecting features define the fourth icon, and transparent
features define the fourth background, or specular reflecting
features define the fourth background, and transparent features
define the fourth icon, or diffusely reflective features define the
fourth icon, and diffusely transmissive features define the fourth
background, or diffusely reflective features define the fourth
background, and diffusely transmissive features define the fourth
icon.
206. The device of Example 205, wherein for the third segments, the
specular reflecting features define the third icon, and the
diffusely reflective features define the third background.
207. The device of Example 205, wherein for the third segments, the
specular reflecting features define the third background, and the
diffusely reflective features define the third icon.
208. The device of Example 205, wherein for the third segments, the
specular reflecting features define the third icon, and the
diffusely transmissive features define the third background.
209. The device of Example 205, wherein for the third segments, the
specular reflecting features define the third background, and the
diffusely transmissive features define the third icon.
210. The device of Example 205, wherein for the third segments, the
transparent features define the third icon, and the diffusely
reflective features define the third background.
211. The device of Example 205, wherein for the third segments, the
transparent features define the third background, and the diffusely
reflective features define the third icon.
212. The device of Example 205, wherein for the third segments, the
transparent features define the third icon, and the diffusely
transmissive features define the third background.
213. The device of Example 205, wherein for the third segments, the
transparent features define the third background, and the diffusely
transmissive features define the third icon.
214. The device of Example 205, wherein for the third segments, the
specular reflecting features define the third icon, and the
transparent features define the third background.
215. The device of Example 205, wherein for the third segments, the
specular reflecting features define the third background, and the
transparent features define the third icon.
216. The device of Example 205, wherein for the third segments, the
diffusely reflective features define the third icon, and the
diffusely transmissive features define the third background.
217. The device of Example 205, wherein for the third segments, the
diffusely reflective features define the third background, and the
diffusely transmissive features define the third icon.
218. The device of any of Examples 205-217, wherein for the fourth
segments, the specular reflecting features define the fourth icon,
and the diffusely reflective features define the fourth
background.
219. The device of any of Examples 205-217, wherein for the fourth
segments, the specular reflecting features define the fourth
background, and the diffusely reflective features define the fourth
icon.
220. The device of any of Examples 205-217, wherein for the fourth
segments, the specular reflecting features define the fourth icon,
and the diffusely transmissive features define the fourth
background.
221. The device of any of Examples 205-217, wherein for the fourth
segments, the specular reflecting features define the fourth
background, and the diffusely transmissive features define the
fourth icon.
222. The device of any of Examples 205-217, wherein for the fourth
segments, the transparent features define the fourth icon, and the
diffusely reflective features define the fourth background.
223. The device of any of Examples 205-217, wherein for the fourth
segments, the transparent features define the fourth background,
and the diffusely reflective features define the fourth icon.
224. The device of any of Examples 205-217, wherein for the fourth
segments, the transparent features define the fourth icon, and the
diffusely transmissive features define the fourth background.
225. The device of any of Examples 205-217, wherein for the fourth
segments, the transparent features define the fourth background,
and the diffusely transmissive features define the fourth icon.
226. The device of any of Examples 205-217, wherein for the fourth
segments, the specular reflecting features define the fourth icon,
and the transparent features define the fourth background.
227. The device of any of Examples 205-217, wherein for the fourth
segments, the specular reflecting features define the fourth
background, and the transparent features define the fourth
icon.
228. The device of any of Examples 205-217, wherein for the fourth
segments, the diffusely reflective features define the fourth icon,
and the diffusely transmissive features define the fourth
background.
229. The device of any of Examples 205-217, wherein for the fourth
segments, the diffusely reflective features define the fourth
background, and the diffusely transmissive features define the
fourth icon.
230. The device of any of Examples 14-49, wherein at the first
viewing angle, the first icon appears dark and the first background
appears matte white or grey, and at the second viewing angle, the
second icon appears dark and the second background appears matte
white or grey, or wherein at the first viewing angle, the first
icon appears bright and the first background appears matte white or
grey, and at the second viewing angle, the second icon appears
bright and the second background appears matte white or grey, or
wherein at the first viewing angle, the first icon appears dark and
the first background appears matte white or grey, and at the second
viewing angle, the second icon appears bright and the second
background appears matte white or grey.
231. The device of Example 230, wherein at the first viewing angle,
the first icon appears dark and the first background appears matte
white or grey, and at the second viewing angle, the second icon
appears dark and the second background appears matte white or
grey.
232. The device of Example 230, wherein at the first viewing angle,
the first icon appears bright and the first background appears
matte white or grey, and at the second viewing angle, the second
icon appears bright and the second background appears matte white
or grey.
233. The device of Example 230, wherein at the first viewing angle,
the first icon appears dark and the first background appears matte
white or grey, and at the second viewing angle, the second icon
appears bright and the second background appears matte white or
grey.
234. The device of any of Examples 230-233, wherein the device is
viewed under a combination of a point light source and a diffuse
light source.
235. The device of any of Examples 230-233, wherein the device is
viewed under a point light source.
236. The device of any of Examples 230-233, wherein the device is
viewed under a diffuse light source.
237. The device of any of Examples 155-229, wherein the array of
lenses comprises at least two lens arrays.
238. The device of Example 237, wherein the at least two lens
arrays comprise at least two 1D lens arrays.
239. The device of Example 237, wherein the at least two lens
arrays comprise at least two 2D lens arrays.
240. The device of Example 237, wherein the at least two lens
arrays comprise a 1D lens array and a 2D lens array.
241. The device of any of Examples 237-240, wherein the at least
two lens arrays are displaced at an angle with respect to each
other.
242. The device of any of the preceding Examples, further
comprising one or more microstructures or one or more
nanostructures configured to provide one or more colors.
243. The device of Example 242, wherein the one or more
microstructures or the one or more nanostructures comprise at least
one plasmonic structure.
244. The device of Example 242, wherein the one or more
microstructures or the one or more nanostructures comprise at least
one opal structure.
245. The device of Example 244, wherein the at least one opal
structure comprises at least one reverse opal structure.
246. The device of Example 244, wherein the at least one opal
structure comprises at least one positive opal structure.
247. An optical device comprising:
an array of lenses; and
a plurality of first and second segments disposed under the array
of lenses, the first segments corresponding to portions of an icon
and a background,
wherein at a first viewing angle, the array of lenses presents the
icon for viewing, and at a second viewing angle different from the
first viewing angle, the array of lenses does not present the icon
for viewing, wherein for the first segments, specular reflecting
features define the icon, and diffusely reflective features define
the background, or specular reflecting features define the
background, and diffusely reflective features define the icon, or
specular reflecting features define the icon, and diffusely
transmissive features define the background, or specular reflecting
features define the background, and diffusely transmissive features
define the icon, or transparent features define the icon, and
diffusely reflective features define the background, or transparent
features define the background, and diffusely reflective features
define the icon, or transparent features define icon, and diffusely
transmissive features define the background, or transparent
features define background, and diffusely transmissive features
define the icon, or specular reflecting features define the icon,
and transparent features define the background, or specular
reflecting features define the background, and transparent features
define the icon, or diffusely reflective features define the icon,
and diffusely transmissive features define the background, or
diffusely reflective features define the background, and diffusely
transmissive features define the icon.
248. The device of Example 247, wherein at a second viewing angle
different from the first viewing angle, the array of lenses
presents for viewing a second icon and a second background.
249. The device of Example 248, wherein for the second segments,
specular reflecting features define the second icon, and diffusely
reflective features define the second background, or specular
reflecting features define the second background, and diffusely
reflective features define the second icon, or specular reflecting
features define the second icon, and diffusely transmissive
features define the second background, or specular reflecting
features define the second background, and diffusely transmissive
features define the second icon, or transparent features define the
second icon, and diffusely reflective features define the second
background, or transparent features define the second background,
and diffusely reflective features define the second icon, or
transparent features define second icon, and diffusely transmissive
features define the second background, or transparent features
define second background, and diffusely transmissive features
define the second icon, or specular reflecting features define the
second icon, and transparent features define the second background,
or specular reflecting features define the second background, and
transparent features define the second icon, or diffusely
reflective features define the second icon, and diffusely
transmissive features define the second background, or diffusely
reflective features define the second background, and diffusely
transmissive features define the second icon.
250. The device of any of Examples 1-249, wherein for the first
segments, the specular reflecting features define the icon, and the
diffusely reflective features define the background.
251. The device of any of Examples 1-249, wherein for the first
segments, the specular reflecting features define the background,
and the diffusely reflective features define the icon.
252. The device of any of Examples 1-249, wherein for the first
segments, the specular reflecting features define the icon, and the
diffusely transmissive features define the background.
253. The device of any of Examples 1-249, wherein for the first
segments, the specular reflecting features define the background,
and the diffusely transmissive features define the icon.
254. The device of any of Examples 1-249, wherein for the first
segments, the transparent features define the icon, and the
diffusely reflective features define the background.
255. The device of any of Examples 1-249, wherein for the first
segments, the transparent features define the background, and the
diffusely reflective features define the icon.
256. The device of any of Examples 1-249, wherein for the first
segments, the transparent features define the icon, and the
diffusely transmissive features define the background.
257. The device of any of Examples 1-249, wherein for the first
segments, the transparent features define the background, and the
diffusely transmissive features define the icon.
258. The device of any of Examples 1-249, wherein for the first
segments, the specular reflecting features define the icon, and the
transparent features define the background.
259. The device of any of Examples 1-249, wherein for the first
segments, the specular reflecting features define the background,
and the transparent features define the icon.
260. The device of any of Examples 1-249, wherein for the first
segments, the diffusely reflective features define the icon, and
the diffusely transmissive features define the background.
261. The device of any of Examples 1-249, wherein for the first
segments, the diffusely reflective features define the background,
and the diffusely transmissive features define the icon.
262. The device of any of Examples 1-261, wherein the icon or image
comprises a half tone image.
Further Examples
1. An optical device comprising: an array of lenses; and a
plurality of segments disposed under the array of lenses, the
plurality of segments corresponding to a plurality of images, the
images comprising at least one icon and at least one background,
wherein the plurality of segments comprises smooth features and
diffusing features, the smooth features defining one of the at
least one icon and the at least one background, the diffusing
features defining the at least one background when the smooth
features define the at least one icon, and the diffusing features
defining the at least one icon when the smooth features define the
at least one background, and wherein the plurality of segments
comprises at least two sets of segments corresponding to at least a
first and second image of the plurality of images such that as the
device is tilted, the array of lenses presents the first image at a
first viewing angle and the second image at a second viewing angle
different from the first viewing angle.
2. The optical device of Example 1, wherein the plurality of
segments comprises 3 sets of segments corresponding to 3 images of
the plurality of images such that the array of lenses presents the
3 images sequentially as the device is tilted through 3 different
viewing angles.
3. The optical device of Example 2, wherein the plurality of
segments comprises 4 sets of segments corresponding to 4 images of
the plurality of images such that the array of lenses presents the
4 images sequentially as the device is tilted through 4 different
viewing angles.
4. The optical device of Example 3, wherein the plurality of
segments comprises 5 sets of segments corresponding to 5 images of
the plurality of images such that the array of lenses presents the
5 images sequentially as the device is tilted through 5 different
viewing angles.
5. The optical device of Example 4, wherein the plurality of
segments comprises 9 sets of segments corresponding to 9 images of
the plurality of images such that the array of lenses presents the
9 images sequentially as the device is tilted through 9 different
viewing angles
6. The optical device of Example 5, wherein the plurality of
segments comprises 10 sets of segments corresponding to 10 images
of the plurality of images such that the array of lenses presents
the 10 images sequentially as the device is tilted through 10
different viewing angles.
7. The optical device of Example 6, wherein the plurality of
segments comprises 15 sets of segments corresponding to 15 images
of the plurality of images such that the array of lenses presents
the 15 images sequentially as the device is tilted through 15
different viewing angles.
8. The optical device of Example 7, wherein the plurality of
segments comprises 20 sets of segments corresponding to 20 images
of the plurality of images such that the array of lenses presents
the 20 images sequentially as the device is tilted through 20
different viewing angles.
9. The optical device of Example 8, wherein the plurality of
segments comprises 25 sets of segments corresponding to 25 images
of the plurality of images such that the array of lenses presents
the 25 images sequentially as the device is tilted through 25
different viewing angles.
10. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
each set of the at least two sets of segments comprises
non-adjacent segments.
11. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the presented images provide images of the at least one icon from a
different perspective.
12. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the presented images provide images of the at least one icon in a
different location.
13. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the at least one icon appears to move as the device is tilted.
14. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the at least one icon appears to rotate as the device is
tilted.
15. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the at least one icon appears to change form as the device is
tilted.
16. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein at
least one of the at least one icon and the at least one background
appear to change in brightness as the device is tilted.
17. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the plurality of segments comprises a tint, dye, ink, or pigment
such that the images comprise color.
18. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the images are monochromatic.
19. The optical device of any of Examples 1-16, wherein the images
are achromatic.
20. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the device comprises a kinoform diffuser providing the diffusing
features.
21. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the smooth features comprise specular reflecting features, and the
diffusing features comprise diffusely reflective features.
22. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the smooth features comprise specular reflecting features, and the
diffusing features comprise diffusely transmissive features.
23. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the smooth features comprise transparent features, and the
diffusing features comprise diffusely reflective features.
24. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the smooth features comprise transparent features, and the
diffusing features comprise diffusely transmissive features.
25. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the smooth features comprise specular reflecting features and
transparent features, and the diffusing features comprise diffusely
reflective features and diffusely transmissive features.
26. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the array of lenses comprises at least one 1D lens array.
27. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the array of lenses comprises at least one 2D array of lenses.
28. The optical device of the preceding examples, wherein the array
of lenses comprises a first lens array having a first longitudinal
axis and a second lens array having a second longitudinal axis,
wherein the first and second arrays are arranged such that the
first longitudinal axis of the first array is angled from 5 to 90
degrees with respect to the second longitudinal axis of the second
array.
29. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the device is configured to provide authenticity verification on an
item for security.
30. The optical device of Example 29, wherein the item is a credit
card, a debit card, a banknote, currency, a passport, a driver's
license, an identification card, a document, a ticket, a tamper
evident container or packaging, or a bottle of pharmaceuticals.
31. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the device is a security thread, a hot stamp feature, an embedded
feature, a windowed feature, or a laminated feature.
32. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
adjacent segments have a correlation such that the at least one
icon in the corresponding images appears to flip to another
icon.
33. The optical device of Example 32, wherein the adjacent segments
have a correlation differential in a range from 0.6 to 1.
34. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
adjacent segments have a correlation such that the at least one
icon in the corresponding images appears to move.
35. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
adjacent segments have a correlation such that the at least one
icon in the corresponding images appears to rotate.
36. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
adjacent segments have a correlation such that the at least one
icon in the corresponding images appears to change form.
37. The optical device of any of Examples 34-36, wherein the
adjacent segments have a correlation differential in a range from 0
to 0.4.
38. The optical device of any of Examples 34-36, wherein the
correlation is between all adjacent segments.
39. The optical device of Example 38, wherein all adjacent segments
have a correlation differential in a range from 0 to 0.4.
40. The optical device of any of Examples 34-36, wherein the
correlation is such that the at least one icon appears to flip to
another icon and change form.
41. The optical device of Example 40, wherein two segments have a
correlation differential in a range from 0.6 to 1 and other
adjacent segments have a correlation differential in a range from 0
to 0.4.
42. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the at least one icon appears to rotate with a corresponding shadow
from a fixed light source.
43. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the at least one icon appears to remain fixed with a shadow that
changes corresponding to a moving light source.
44. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
for a plurality of preceding and succeeding images, each succeeding
image includes an element in the preceding image.
45. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the presented images include a first icon with a natural optical
effect and a second icon with an unnatural optical effect.
Further Additional Examples
1. An optical device comprising: an array of lenses; and a
plurality of segments disposed under the array of lenses, the
plurality of segments corresponding to a plurality of images, the
images comprising at least one icon and at least one background,
wherein the plurality of segments comprises smooth features and
diffusing features, the smooth features defining one of the at
least one icon and the at least one background, the diffusing
features defining the at least one background when the smooth
features define the at least one icon, and the diffusing features
defining the at least one icon when the smooth features define the
at least one background, and wherein the plurality of segments
comprises ten sets of segments corresponding to ten images of the
plurality of images such that as the device is tilted, the array of
lenses presents the ten images sequentially as the device is tilted
through 10 different viewing angles.
2. The optical device of Example 1, wherein the plurality of
segments comprises 15 sets of segments corresponding to 15 images
of the plurality of images such that the array of lenses presents
the 15 images sequentially as the device is tilted through 15
different viewing angles.
3. The optical device of Example 2, wherein the plurality of
segments comprises 20 sets of segments corresponding to 20 images
of the plurality of images such that the array of lenses presents
the 20 images sequentially as the device is tilted through 20
different viewing angles.
4. The optical device of Example 3, wherein the plurality of
segments comprises 25 sets of segments corresponding to 25 images
of the plurality of images such that the array of lenses presents
the 25 images sequentially as the device is tilted through 25
different viewing angles.
5. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
each set of the ten sets of segments comprises non-adjacent
segments.
6. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein the
presented images provide images of the at least one icon from a
different perspective.
7. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein the
presented images provide images of the at least one icon in a
different location.
8. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein the
at least one icon appears to move as the device is tilted.
9. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein the
at least one icon appears to rotate as the device is tilted.
10. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the at least one icon appears to change form as the device is
tilted.
11. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein at
least one of the at least one icon and the at least one background
appear to change in brightness as the device is tilted.
12. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the plurality of segments comprises a tint, dye, ink, or pigment
such that the images comprise color.
13. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the images are monochromatic.
14. The optical device of any of Examples 1-11, wherein the images
are achromatic.
15. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the device comprises a kinoform diffuser providing the diffusing
features.
16. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the smooth features comprise specular reflecting features, and the
diffusing features comprise diffusely reflective features.
17. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the smooth features comprise specular reflecting features, and the
diffusing features comprise diffusely transmissive features.
18. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the smooth features comprise transparent features, and the
diffusing features comprise diffusely reflective features.
19. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the smooth features comprise transparent features, and the
diffusing features comprise diffusely transmissive features.
20. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the smooth features comprise specular reflecting features and
transparent features, and the diffusing features comprise diffusely
reflective features and diffusely transmissive features.
21. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the array of lenses comprises at least one 1D lens array.
22. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the array of lenses comprises at least one 2D array of lenses.
23. The optical device of the preceding examples, wherein the array
of lenses comprises a first lens array having a first longitudinal
axis and a second lens array having a second longitudinal axis,
wherein the first and second arrays are arranged such that the
first longitudinal axis of the first array is angled from 5 to 90
degrees with respect to the second longitudinal axis of the second
array.
24. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the device is configured to provide authenticity verification on an
item for security.
25. The optical device of Example 24, wherein the item is a credit
card, a debit card, a banknote, currency, a passport, a driver's
license, an identification card, a document, a ticket, a tamper
evident container or packaging, or a bottle of pharmaceuticals.
26. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the device is a security thread, a hot stamp feature, an embedded
feature, a windowed feature, or a laminated feature.
27. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
adjacent segments have a correlation such that the at least one
icon in the corresponding images appears to flip to another
icon.
28. The optical device of Example 27, wherein the adjacent segments
have a correlation differential in a range from 0.6 to 1.
29. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
adjacent segments have a correlation such that the at least one
icon in the corresponding images appears to move.
30. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
adjacent segments have a correlation such that the at least one
icon in the corresponding images appears to rotate.
31. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
adjacent segments have a correlation such that the at least one
icon in the corresponding images appears to change form.
32. The optical device of any of Examples 29-31, wherein the
adjacent segments have a correlation differential in a range from 0
to 0.4.
33. The optical device of any of Examples 29-31, wherein the
correlation is between all adjacent segments.
34. The optical device of Example 33, wherein all adjacent segments
have a correlation differential in a range from 0 to 0.4.
35. The optical device of any of Examples 29-31, wherein the
correlation is such that the at least one icon appears to flip to
another icon and change form.
36. The optical device of Example 35, wherein two segments have a
correlation differential in a range from 0.6 to 1 and other
adjacent segments have a correlation differential in a range from 0
to 0.4.
37. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the at least one icon appears to rotate with a corresponding shadow
from a fixed light source.
38. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the at least one icon appears to remain fixed with a shadow that
changes corresponding to a moving light source.
39. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
for a plurality of preceding and succeeding images, each succeeding
image includes an element in the preceding image.
40. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the presented images include the at least one icon with a natural
optical effect.
41. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the presented images include the at least one icon with an
unnatural optical effect.
42. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the presented images include a first icon with a natural optical
effect and a second icon with an unnatural optical effect.
43. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the presented images provide a smooth, continuous animation.
44. The optical device of Example 1, wherein the array of lenses is
a 1D array of lenses configured to present 3D images of the at
least one icon with a shadow.
45. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the smooth features are abutted next to the diffusing features.
46. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
adjacent segments have a correlation such that the at least one
icon in the corresponding images appears to move seamlessly.
47. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
adjacent segments have a correlation such that the at least one
icon in the corresponding images appears to rotate seamlessly.
48. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
adjacent segments have a correlation such that the at least one
icon in the corresponding images appears to change form
seamlessly.
49. The optical device of any of the examples above, wherein the
adjacent segments have a correlation differential in a range from 0
to 0.4.
50. The optical device of any of Examples 46-49, wherein the
correlation is between all adjacent segments.
51. The optical device of Example 50, wherein all adjacent segments
have a correlation differential in a range from 0 to 0.4.
52. The optical device of any of Examples 46-51, wherein at least
two adjacent segments have a correlation such that the at least one
icon appears to flip to another icon or change form.
53. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein at
least 70% of adjacent segments have a correlation coefficient in
the range from 0.7 to 1.
54. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein at
least 70% of adjacent segments have a correlation differential in
the range from 0 to 0.3.
55. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein at
least 80% of adjacent segments have a correlation coefficient in
the range from 0.7 to 1.
56. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein at
least 80% of adjacent segments have a correlation differential in
the range from 0 to 0.3.
57. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein at
least 90% of adjacent segments have a correlation coefficient in
the range from 0.7 to 1.
58. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein at
least 90% of adjacent segments have a correlation differential in
the range from 0 to 0.3.
59. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein at
least 70% of adjacent segments have a correlation coefficient in
the range from 0.8 to 1.
60. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein at
least 70% of adjacent segments have a correlation differential in
the range from 0 to 0.2.
61. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein at
least 80% of adjacent segments have a correlation coefficient in
the range from 0.8 to 1.
62. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein at
least 80% of adjacent segments have a correlation differential in
the range from 0 to 0.2.
63. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein at
least 90% of adjacent segments have a correlation coefficient in
the range from 0.8 to 1.
64. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein at
least 90% of adjacent segments have a correlation differential in
the range from 0 to 0.2.
65. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein at
least 70% of adjacent segments have a correlation coefficient in
the range from 0.9 to 1.
66. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein at
least 70% of adjacent segments have a correlation differential in
the range from 0 to 0.1.
67. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein at
least 80% of adjacent segments have a correlation coefficient in
the range from 0.9 to 1.
68. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein at
least 80% of adjacent segments have a correlation differential in
the range from 0 to 0.1.
69. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein at
least 90% of adjacent segments have a correlation coefficient in
the range from 0.9 to 1.
70. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein at
least 90% of adjacent segments have a correlation differential in
the range from 0 to 0.1.
71. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein at
least 70% of adjacent segments have a correlation coefficient in
the range from 0.95 to 1.
72. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein at
least 70% of adjacent segments have a correlation differential in
the range from 0 to 0.05.
73. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein at
least 80% of adjacent segments have a correlation coefficient in
the range from 0.95 to 1.
74. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein at
least 80% of adjacent segments have a correlation differential in
the range from 0 to 0.05.
75. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein at
least 90% of adjacent segments have a correlation coefficient in
the range from 0.95 to 1.
76. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein at
least 90% of adjacent segments have a correlation differential in
the range from 0 to 0.05.
77. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the at least one icon includes a corresponding shadow from a fixed
light source.
78. The optical device of Example 77, wherein the at least one icon
includes a shadow that does not correspond to the fixed light
source.
79. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the at least one icon includes a shadow that does not correspond to
a fixed light source.
80. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the at least one icon includes a corresponding shadow from a moving
light source.
81. The optical device of Example 80, wherein the at least one icon
includes a shadow that does not correspond to said moving light
source.
82. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the at least one icon includes a shadow that does not correspond to
a moving light source.
83. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the at least one icon includes a shadow that does not correspond to
a fixed light source or a moving light source.
84. The optical device of any of the preceding examples, wherein
the at least one icon includes an object with a shadow and an
object without a shadow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A schematically illustrates an example security device in
accordance with certain embodiments described herein.
FIG. 1B schematically illustrates certain features of the example
security device shown in FIG. 1A.
FIG. 1C-1 schematically illustrates a 1D lens array compatible with
certain embodiments described herein.
FIG. 1C-2 schematically illustrates a 2D lens array compatible with
certain embodiments described herein.
FIG. 2A schematically illustrates viewing at an angle in the
specular direction of specular reflecting features and at the same
angle of diffusing features in accordance with certain embodiments
described herein.
FIG. 2B schematically illustrates viewing at angles not in the
specular direction of specular reflecting features and at the same
angles of diffusing features in accordance with certain embodiments
described herein.
FIG. 2C schematically illustrates certain images and effects that
can be presented during viewing at an angle in the specular
direction by a security device in accordance with certain
embodiments described herein.
FIG. 2D schematically illustrates certain images and effects that
can be presented during viewing at an angle not in the specular
direction by a security device in accordance with certain
embodiments described herein.
FIG. 3A schematically illustrates another example security device
in accordance with certain embodiments described herein.
FIG. 3B schematically illustrates certain features of the example
security device shown in FIG. 3A.
FIG. 3C schematically illustrates certain images and effects that
can be presented during viewing at an angle in the specular
direction by a security device in accordance with certain
embodiments described herein.
FIG. 3D schematically illustrates certain images and effects that
can be presented during viewing at an angle not in the specular
direction by a security device in accordance with certain
embodiments described herein.
FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C schematically illustrate certain images and
effects that can be presented for viewing by a security device in
accordance with certain embodiments described herein.
FIG. 5A schematically illustrates certain features of an example
security device in accordance with certain embodiments described
herein.
FIG. 5B-1 schematically illustrates a top view of a security
thread.
FIG. 5B-2 schematically illustrates a side view of the security
thread shown in FIG. 5B-1 with a protective coating in accordance
with certain embodiments described herein.
FIG. 5C schematically illustrates certain features of another
example security device in accordance with certain embodiments
described herein.
FIG. 6A shows the relative brightness as a function of distance of
a line scan across an icon (e.g., represented by a number "1") in
an example security device in accordance with certain embodiments
described herein.
FIGS. 6B-1, 6B-2, 6B-3, and 6B-4 show the relatively high contrast
and sharpness of the edges of the icons presented in certain
embodiments of devices described herein.
FIG. 7 schematically illustrates the change in brightness of two
icons switching for various angles of tilt in a security device in
accordance with certain embodiments described herein.
FIG. 8A shows certain images (e.g., art objects) and effects that
can be presented for viewing by a security device in accordance
with certain embodiments described herein.
FIG. 8B shows an example half-tone pattern in accordance with
certain embodiments described herein.
FIG. 8C schematically illustrates an example security device
utilizing half-tone patterning in accordance with certain
embodiments described herein.
FIGS. 9A-1 and 9A-2 schematically illustrate an example device
created using laser ablation.
FIG. 9A-3 schematically illustrates an example of a second layer
coupled to an ablated area of an example device.
FIG. 9A-4 schematically illustrates an example device showing two
possible angles of observation.
FIG. 9B shows an icon within an icon that switches to a different
icon within an icon.
FIGS. 10A and 10B schematically illustrate example color generating
structures including a plasmonic structure.
FIG. 11 schematically illustrates an example color generating
structure including a reverse opal structure.
FIG. 12 schematically illustrates an example method of forming
various color generating structures described herein.
FIGS. 13A and 13B schematically illustrate example devices in
accordance with certain embodiments described herein.
FIG. 14A schematically illustrates an isometric view of an example
security device including a 2D lens array disposed over a plurality
of portions having optical features as described herein. The device
can be configured to present different distinct images when viewed
from different directions. FIGS. 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G, and
14H show top views of example security devices including a 2D lens
array disposed over a plurality of portions having optical features
as described herein.
FIG. 15 schematically illustrates an example device incorporating
multiple embodiments of features described herein.
FIG. 16 schematically illustrates an example of optical device in
accordance with certain embodiments described herein.
FIGS. 17A, 17B, and 17C show example images that can be presented
for viewing by an optical device described herein.
FIGS. 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D, and 18E show another example set of
images that can be presented for viewing by an optical device
described herein.
FIGS. 19A, 19B, 19C, 19D, and 19E show another example set of
images that can be presented for viewing by an optical device.
FIGS. 20A and 20B show another example set of images that can be
presented for viewing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A first line of defense to prevent counterfeiting and the
effectiveness of a security system are often by first line
inspection, for example, by the general public. Banknote security
features preferably are easily seen under a variety of light
conditions within a 5-10 second time frame and remembered, by the
public, including people who are color blind. In addition, the
security feature in general, should not be able to be copied by
electronic or photographic means.
The trend in security features has been toward more complicated
structures and color changing effects. This trend, however, has
been self-defeating as regards the general public. Such complicated
security devices have confused the average person looking for a
distinctive security feature. On the other hand, there is a high
general awareness by the general public of the banknote watermark
(around 70% know of it). The watermark is an image defined by light
and dark regions as seen by holding up a banknote to see the
watermark in light transmission. Also, color shifting features are
low in the public's recognition and awareness. For example, colors
in color shifting inks are not bright. Colors in kinegrams are
bright, but are too complicated for the average person to remember
it or to hone in the feature for authenticity. Recent security
devices (e.g., color shifting ink and motion type features) are not
readily seen under low light conditions (e.g., at low lit bars,
restaurants, etc.), are poor in image definition, or have slow
optical movement relative to the movement of the banknote.
What is needed in many security devices, therefore, is a sharp
image with high contrast to the background that switches on and
off, or switches to a different image, at a high rate of change,
with little, if no, transition state, while operating under a
variety of light conditions, including low light. In essence, a
high contrast reflective "watermark" that changes its image when
one changes its viewing angle by a small angle is desired.
Certain embodiments described herein utilize the dramatic effect of
black icons that transform themselves to a shiny silver color or to
a different image against a white diffuse background as the device
is tilted relative to the observer. Certain embodiments use the
gamut of black, white, and grey to create intense high definition
images.
In accordance with certain embodiments described herein, optical
switch devices, such as security devices are disclosed. Although
embodiments may be described with respect to security devices, the
devices disclosed herein can also be used for non-security devices
(e.g., for aesthetics such as on packaging). In various
embodiments, the security device, when illuminated, can present an
icon for viewing. The icon can appear bright or dark and can appear
sharp (e.g., have high definition) against its background. In
certain embodiments, upon tilting the device, a user can switch the
icon on and off (and/or switch the icon off and on), and in various
instances, at relatively small tilt angles (e.g., from 2 degrees to
15 degrees in some cases). In various other embodiments, instead of
switching an icon on and off upon tilting the device, a user can
switch between at least two icons. Advantageously, the security
devices disclosed herein can present sharp, high contrast icons
that switch rapidly, which are difficult to counterfeit. For
additional security, various embodiments of features described
herein can be combined together and/or with other features known in
the art or yet to be developed.
Certain embodiments of security devices described herein can
present one or more sharp icons with high contrast to the
background by incorporating two different types of optical features
having high contrast with respect to each other. In some
embodiments, the optical features can include specular reflecting
features (e.g., optically variable) and diffusing features (e.g.,
optically invariable).
In some embodiments, the specular reflecting features and the
diffuse features can be incorporated into a security device
including an array of lenses that is configured to switch an icon
on and off upon tilting the device (e.g., tilting the devices such
that the viewer moves his or her observation angle, while the light
source remains fixed in position). In some embodiments, the
position of the light source can be moved while keeping the
observer's angle fixed with no change in the shape of the image
(e.g., the shape of the image can remain invariant). FIGS. 1A and
1B schematically illustrate an example of such a security device.
As shown in FIG. 1A, the security device 100 can include an array
105 of lenses and a plurality of first segments 101 and second
segments 102 disposed under the array 105 of lenses. Referring to
FIG. 1B, a first segment 101a, 101b, 101c, 101d can correspond to a
portion of the icon 112 and/or background 115. Referring to FIG.
1A, at a first viewing angle .alpha. (e.g., an angle relative to a
normal plane of the device 100), the array 105 of lenses can be
configured to allow the icon 112 to be viewable. At a second
viewing angle .beta. (e.g., an angle relative to a normal plane of
the device 100) different from the first viewing angle .alpha., the
array 105 of lenses can be configured to not allow the icon 112 to
be viewable. For example, the first segments 101 can include
specular reflecting features and diffusing features, whereas the
second segments 102 can include either specular reflecting features
or diffusing features as will be disclosed herein. (Or the second
segments 102 can include specular reflecting features and diffusing
features, whereas the first segments 101 can include either
specular reflecting features or diffusing features.)
In FIG. 1A, the array 105 of lenses can switch the icon 112 on and
off upon tilting the device 100 from the first viewing angle
.alpha. to the second viewing angle .beta.. For example, the
security device 100 can include a set of first segments 101 and a
set of second segments 102 disposed under the array 105 of lenses.
The first segments 101 can correspond to portions of the icon 112
and a first background 115, such that at the first viewing angle
.alpha., the array 105 of lenses can allow the icon 112 and first
background 115 to be viewed. The second segments 102 can correspond
to portions of a second background 125 without an icon 112 (e.g.,
as represented by the absence of the icon 112 within second
background 125), such that at the second viewing angle .beta., the
array 105 of lenses does not allow the icon 112 to be viewed. Thus,
by tilting the device 100 from the first viewing angle .alpha. to
the second viewing angle .beta., the array 105 of lenses can switch
the icon 112 on and off. As such, the viewer can see the icon 112
appear and disappear upon tilting the device 100.
In various embodiments, the array 105 of lenses can include a 1-D
array of lenses. As shown in FIG. 1C-1, the lenses can extend in
length much longer than shown in FIG. 1A. However, the drawings and
schematics are merely illustrative. A wide variation in sizes and
dimensions are possible. In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 1A,
the array 105 of lenses can include a number of cylindrical,
hemi-cylindrical lenses, truncated hemi-cylindrical lenses, or
plano convex cylindrical lenses with one convex surface and one
plano surface. In some embodiments, the lenses can have one convex
surface and one concave surface. In some instances, the lenses can
have surfaces that are symmetrical. In some instances, the lenses
can have surfaces that are asymmetrical. In some instances, the
lenses can have surfaces that are freeform surfaces.
The array of lenses can include a micro lens array having a pitch
(e.g., lateral distance between the centers of two lenses) that can
be in a range from 5 microns to 200 microns (such as 6.6 microns,
8.4 microns, 12.5 microns, 16 microns, 20 microns, 22 microns, 80
microns, 84 microns, 90 microns, 100 microns, 120 microns, 150
microns, etc.), in any ranges within this range (such as 5 microns
to 150 microns, 5 microns to 100 microns, 5 microns to 90 microns,
5 microns to 85 microns, 5 microns to 80 microns, 5 microns to 50
microns, 5 microns to 25 microns, 5 microns to 20 microns, 6.6
microns to 150 microns, 6.6 microns to 100 microns, 6.6 microns to
80 microns, 6.6 microns to 22 microns, 8.4 microns to 150 microns,
8.4 microns to 100 microns, 8.4 microns to 80 microns, 8.4 microns
to 22 microns, 12.5 microns to 150 microns, 12.5 microns to 100
microns, 12.5 microns to 80 microns, 16 microns to 150 microns, 16
microns to 100 microns, 16 microns to 80 microns, 20 microns to 150
microns, 20 microns to 100 microns, 20 microns to 80 microns, 22
microns to 150 microns, 22 microns to 100 microns, 22 microns to 80
microns, 80 microns to 150 microns, 84 microns to 150 microns,
etc.), any values within these ranges, or in any ranges formed by
such values. In certain embodiments, the pitch can be constant
across the array 105 of lenses. However, in some embodiments, the
pitch can vary across the array 105.
A lens within the array 105 of lenses can have a width W.sub.L
(e.g., along the x-axis) that can be in a range from 5 microns to
200 microns (such as 6.6 microns, 8.4 microns, 12.5 microns, 16
microns, 20 microns, 22 microns, 80 microns, 84 microns, 90
microns, 100 microns, 120 microns, 150 microns, etc.), in any
ranges within this range (such as 5 microns to 150 microns, 5
microns to 100 microns, 5 microns to 90 microns, 5 microns to 85
microns, 5 microns to 80 microns, 5 microns to 50 microns, 5
microns to 25 microns, 5 microns to 20 microns, 6.6 microns to 150
microns, 6.6 microns to 100 microns, 6.6 microns to 80 microns, 6.6
microns to 22 microns, 8.4 microns to 150 microns, 8.4 microns to
100 microns, 8.4 microns to 80 microns, 8.4 microns to 22 microns,
12.5 microns to 150 microns, 12.5 microns to 100 microns, 12.5
microns to 80 microns, 16 microns to 150 microns, 16 microns to 100
microns, 16 microns to 80 microns, 20 microns to 150 microns, 20
microns to 100 microns, 20 microns to 80 microns, 22 microns to 150
microns, 22 microns to 100 microns, 22 microns to 80 microns, 80
microns to 150 microns, 84 microns to 150 microns, etc.), any
values within these ranges, or in any ranges formed by such values.
In certain embodiments, the width W.sub.L of a lens can be the same
as the width W.sub.L of another lens in the array 105 of lenses.
However, in other embodiments, the width W.sub.L of a lens can be
different than the width W.sub.L of another lens in the array 105
of lenses.
The radius of curvature of a lens can be in a range from 5 microns
to 100 microns (such as 5 microns, 12.5 microns, 25 microns, 37.5
microns, 50 microns, 62.5 microns, 75 microns, 87.5 microns, 100
microns, 200 micron, 300 microns, etc.), in any ranges within this
range (such as 5 microns to 87.5 microns, 5 microns to 75 microns,
12.5 microns to 87.5 microns, 12.5 microns to 75 microns, etc.),
any values within these ranges, or in any ranges formed by such
values. In some embodiments, the radius of curvature of a lens can
be different from the radius of curvature of another lens in the
array 105 of lenses. The curvature can be rotationally symmetrical
or can be rotationally asymmetrical.
The lenses can be made of various materials such as a polymer. For
example, the array 105 of lenses can be UV casted into a resin
layer coated on a polymer substrate. Some example substrate
materials can include, but are not limited to, polyethylene
terephthalate (PET), oriented polypropylene (OPP), low density
polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE),
polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or polycarbonate
(PC). As another example, the array 105 of lenses can be molded or
embossed in a polymer substrate. Moldable and/or embossable
substrates can include acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS),
polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyethylene (PE),
polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC/ABS), and
polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified (PETG). Other methods
and materials known in the art or yet to be developed can be
used.
In some embodiments, a lens can have a focal length (and
corresponding f-number) and be disposed at a distance with respect
to the back side of the substrate in comparison to the lens's focal
length to focus light on the back side of the substrate. In other
embodiments, a lens can have a focal length (and corresponding
f-number) and be disposed at a distance with respect to the back
side of the substrate in comparison to the lens's focal length to
focus light on the front side of the substrate. In yet other
embodiments, a lens can have a focal length (and corresponding
f-number) and be disposed at a distance with respect to the back
side of the substrate in comparison to the lens's focal length to
focus light in between the front and back sides of the substrate.
In some examples, the lens's focal length can equal the thickness
of the substrate. Example focal lengths include a number that can
be in a range from 5 microns to 200 microns, from 5 microns to 250
microns, or from 5 microns to 300 microns (such as 5 microns, 10
microns, 12 microns, 12.5 microns, 25 microns, 37.5 microns, 50
microns, 62.5 microns, 75 microns, 87.5 microns, 100 microns, 112.5
microns, 125 microns, 137.5 microns, 150 microns, 162.5 microns,
175 microns, 187.5 microns, 200 microns, 250 microns, 300 microns,
etc.), in any ranges within this range (such as 5 microns to 300
microns, 5 microns to 250 microns, 5 microns to 200 microns, 5
microns to 187.5 microns, 5 microns to 175 microns, 10 microns to
300 microns, 10 microns to 250 microns, 10 microns to 200 microns,
12 microns to 300 microns, 12 microns to 250 microns, 12 microns to
200 microns, 12.5 microns to 187.5 microns, 12.5 microns to 175
microns, etc.), any values within these ranges, or in any ranges
formed by such values. In some embodiments, the focal length (and
f-number) of a lens can be different from the focal length (and
f-number) of another lens in the array 105 of lenses.
Although the array 105 of lenses is illustrated in FIG. 1A as a 1D
array of lenses (e.g., an array of lenses periodic in one dimension
such as a 1D array of cylindrical lenses), in some embodiments, the
array 105 of lenses can include a 2D array of lenses. FIG. 1C-2
shows an example 2D array of lenses. For example, the plurality of
first 101 and second 102 segments can form a 1D segment array
(e.g., an array of segments periodic in one dimension) and can be
disposed under the 2D array of lenses such that individual ones of
the first 101 and second 102 segments can be disposed under a
plurality of corresponding lenses. A 1D array of lenses (e.g., FIG.
1A) can include a series of cylindrical, hemi-cylindrical lenses,
truncated hemi-cylindrical lenses, or plano convex cylindrical
lenses in a row with power (e.g., curvature) in one direction only,
whereas a 2D array of lenses (e.g., FIG. 1C-2) can have power
(e.g., curvature) in two directions. In various embodiments, the 2D
array comprises lenses having surfaces that are rotationally
symmetric surfaces. In some embodiments, the 2D array can comprise
lenses having surfaces that are freeform or asymmetrical. For
example, the lenses can be elliptical in that the lenses are longer
in one orthogonal direction compared to the other. In some
embodiments, the 2D array can comprise spherical lenses. In some
embodiments, the 2D array can comprise lenses with aspheric
surfaces. In various embodiments, the 2D array can comprise
elliptical, hexagonal, Fresnel and/or achromatic lenses. The lenses
in the 2D lens array can be arranged in close packed arrangement or
in a square arrangement. The shape and or arrangement of the
lenses, however, should not be considered to be limited. As
additional examples, the surfaces of the lenses can be convex,
aspherical, toroidal, and/or de-centered. The lenses may have
circular, square, rectangular, hexagonal aperture shape or
footprint, or may have other shapes, and the aperture may be
truncated. Similarly, the lenses may be arranged in a square array,
triangular array, hexagonal closed packed, or arranged otherwise.
In some embodiments, the array 105 of lenses can include a first
lenticular lens array having a first longitudinal axis and a second
lenticular lens array having a second longitudinal axis. In some
instances, the first and second arrays can be arranged such that
the first longitudinal axis of the first array can be angled from 5
to 90 degrees (or any range within this range, such as from 5 to 80
degrees, 10 to 90 degrees, 20 to 90 degrees, etc.) with respect to
the second longitudinal axis of the second array.
In various embodiments, the array 105 of lenses can include a
series of lenses (e.g., lenticular lenses, microlenses, spherical
lenses, etc.) configured to allow the features disposed under the
lenses corresponding to different images to be viewable at
different viewing angles. For example, in some cases, the lenses
are magnifying lenses to enlarge different features disposed under
the lenses corresponding to different images at different viewing
angles. As another example, the lenses can provide an avenue to
switch between different images through different channels. Thus,
the security device 100 can include a set of first segments 101 and
a set of second segments 102 disposed under the array 105 of
lenses.
In FIG. 1B, the first segments 101 and the second segments 102 are
interlaced with each other. A first segment 101a, 101b, 101c, 101d
can correspond to a portion of a first image 110 (only top portion
illustrated), such that at the first viewing angle .alpha., the
array 105 of lenses can be configured to allow the plurality of
portions of the first image 110 to be viewable. Although the array
105 of lenses allows a plurality of separate portions to be
viewable, the viewer can see the sum total of all the portions of
the first image 110 (e.g., the whole first image 110). A second
segment 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d can correspond to a portion of a
second image 120, such that at the second viewing angle .beta., the
array 105 of lenses can be configured to allow the plurality of
portions of the second image 120 to be viewable. Although the array
105 of lenses allows a plurality of separate portions to be
viewable, the viewer can see the sum total of all the portions of
the second image 120 (e.g., the whole second image 120).
In the example shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the first image 110
includes an icon 112 and a first background 115, whereas the second
image 120 includes a second background 125 without an icon 112. In
various embodiments, the first image 110 (or icon 112) can include
at least one alphanumeric character, a symbol, an image (e.g., an
art image), a half tone image, graphic, or an object. Other items
are possible. In this example, the first image 110 shown is an icon
112 of the letter A.
Since the first image 110 includes icon 112, the array 105 of
lenses allows the icon 112 to be viewable at the first viewing
angle .alpha.. However, since the second image 120 does not include
the icon 112, the array 105 of lenses does not allow the icon 112
to be viewable at the second viewing angle .beta.. Thus, by tilting
the device 100 from the first viewing angle .alpha. to the second
viewing angle .beta., the array 105 of lenses can switch the icon
112 on and off.
Referring to FIG. 1A, the first segments 101 and the second
segments 102 can be disposed under the array 105 of lenses. In
various embodiments, the first segments 101 and the second segments
102 can have a width w smaller than the width W.sub.L of a lens in
the array 105 of lenses. In some embodiments, a pair of a first
segment 101 and a second segment 102 can be aligned under each lens
in the array 105 of lenses. However, a pair of a first segment 101
and a second segment 102 need not be exactly aligned under a single
lens in the array 105, but might be offset from such an alignment.
For example, a first segment 101 can be disposed under a single
lens in the array, while a portion of a second segment 102 can be
disposed under parts of two different lenses in the array 105.
Thus, in various embodiments, the pairs of a first segment 101 and
a second segment 102 under the array 105 of lenses are not
alignment sensitive (e.g., exact alignment of pairs of a first
segment 101 and a second segment 102 under a single lens in the
array 105 is not necessary).
Although exact alignment of the pairs of a first segment 101 and a
second segment 102 under a single lens in the array 105 is not
necessary, a lens within the array 105 of lenses can be registered
on average to a pair of a first segment 101 and a second segment
102. For example, a lens can correspond to a pair of a first
segment 101 and a second segment 102. Light from a first segment
101 can pass through a first part of a lens and light from a second
segment 102 can pass through a separate part of the lens, and
corresponding portions of the lens can form the distinct images at
two different angles as described herein. On average, most of the
lens may be registered with respect to the segments 101, 102 in
this manner.
A first segment 101 and/or a second segment 102 can have a length 1
(along the y-axis), width w (along the x-axis), and thickness t
(along the z-axis). The length 1, width w, and thickness t are not
particularly limited, and can be based on the application. In some
embodiments, the width w of a first segment 101 and/or a second
segment 102 can be based on the size of the lenses in the array 105
(e.g., approximately half of the pitch of the lens). In various
embodiments, for example, for a security thread on a banknote, the
width w of a first 101 and/or a second 102 segment can be less than
or equal to 80 microns, less than or equal to 70 microns, or less
than or equal to 60 microns, and/or in a range from 10 microns to
80 microns, in any range within this range (e.g., 10 microns to 75
microns, 15 microns to 75 microns, 15 microns to 70 microns, etc.),
any values within these ranges, or in any ranges formed by such
values. A first segment 101 and/or the second segments 102 can
include multiple features per segment. For example, the features
can include less than 10 micron sized features (as will be
described herein) which correspond to portions of an image. In
various embodiments, the array 105 of lenses can magnify the less
than 10 micron sized features disposed under the lenses to be
viewable with the un-aided eye. For example, in some embodiments,
the first segment 101 and/or the second segment 102 may have a
width w that is about half the width W.sub.L of a lens. When
viewing the first 101 and/or second 102 segment under a lens in the
array 105, however, the features may fill the width of the lens and
thus the features within the segment may appear the size of the
full width of the lens or at least larger than the segment itself.
In certain embodiments, the first segment 101 and/or the second
segment 102 can include a micro-image (e.g., at least one
alphanumeric character, symbol, an art image, graphic, an object,
etc.) not viewable by the un-aided eye where the height of the
micro-image is smaller than the width w of the segment 101, 102. In
some such embodiments, the array 105 of lenses can magnify the
micro-image such that it is viewable by the un-aided eye. In other
such embodiments, for an additional security feature, the
micro-image can remain un-viewable by the un-aided eye but viewable
with an additional aid such as a magnifying glass or
microscope.
In various embodiments, the array 105 of lenses can be disposed on
a first side 151 of a substrate or carrier 150. The first segments
101 and the second segments 102 can be disposed on the second side
152 opposite the first side 151 of the substrate 150. Referring to
FIG. 1B, some embodiments can be manufactured by applying the
specular reflecting features 132 and/or applying the diffusing
features 135, 145 onto the substrate or carrier 150, e.g., on the
second side 152 of the substrate 150. In some embodiments, the
specular reflecting features 132 and the diffusing features 135 can
be embossed into a coating or the substrate or carrier 150. After
UV curing the embossed coating or substrate, the specular
reflecting features 132 and the diffusing features 135 can be
metallized (e.g., at the same time in some cases). The substrate or
carrier 150 can comprise various polymeric substrates, such as, for
example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), oriented polypropylene
(OPP), low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density
polyethylene (LLDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC),
polycarbonate (PC) or any other type of plastic film or carrier. In
various embodiments, the polymeric substrate can be transparent.
The polymeric substrates can have a thickness that can be in a
range from 10 microns to 300 microns (e.g., 12.5 microns, 25
microns, 37.5 microns, 50 microns, etc.), in any range within this
range (e.g., 10 microns to 200 microns, 12.5 microns to 100
microns, 12.5 microns to 50 microns, etc.), any values within these
ranges, or in any ranges formed by such values.
After the device 100 is formed, some such devices 100 can be
incorporated into a banknote having a paper, plastic, or polymeric
thickness that can be in a range from 10 microns to 110 microns
(e.g., 12.5 microns, 25 microns, 40 microns, 50 microns, 90
microns, 95 microns, 98 microns, 100 microns, 105 microns, 107
microns, etc.), in any range within this range (e.g., 10 microns to
105 microns, 10 microns to 90 microns, 10 microns to 50 microns, 10
microns to 40 microns, etc.), any values within these ranges, or in
any ranges formed by such values. In some embodiments, various
devices 100 can be incorporated into a banknote (e.g., embedded
into or laminated onto the paper, plastic, or polymer of the
banknote) such that the total banknote thickness can be in a range
from 10 microns to 130 microns, from 10 microns to 120 microns,
from 10 microns to 110 microns, from 10 microns to 100 microns,
from 10 microns to 90 microns, in any range within these ranges,
any values within these ranges, or in any ranges formed by such
values. The security device 100 can be formed into security threads
in banknotes. A security thread can be a polymeric film interwoven
into the banknote paper (or plastic or polymer) as it is being made
such that portions of it are visible at the surface and some
portions are not. The security device 100 can be a hot stamp
feature, an embedded feature, a windowed feature, or a laminated
feature. A hot stamp feature can be transferred to a banknote
surface using a release substrate upon which may be located a
security feature, e.g., a hologram, using heated die and pressure.
A patch is generally hot stamped to a banknote surface. An embedded
feature can be affixed within a depression, e.g., formed during the
paper (or plastic or polymer) making process, in the banknote. In
some embodiments, this feature can keep the banknote surface flat.
A windowed feature can allow one to view the security device in
transmission. A windowed feature can include an opening in the
banknote paper (or plastic or polymer) and can be laminated with a
polymeric film. A windowed feature can include a security thread
interwoven into the banknote paper (or plastic or polymer). A
laminated feature can be affixed to the surface of the banknote by
means of an adhesive. A laminated strip can include a flat polymer
film with built in optical security devices. This flat polymer film
can be attached to a banknote across its width (e.g., narrow
dimension) using adhesive on the banknote surface. In some
embodiments, the security device 100 can be configured to provide
authenticity verification on an item of security (e.g., currency, a
credit card, a debit card, a passport, a driver's license, an
identification card, a document, a tamper evident container or
packaging, or a bottle of pharmaceuticals).
Although FIGS. 1A and 1B show two sets of segments (e.g., first
segments 101 and second segments 102), additional sets of segments
(e.g., third segments, fourth segments, etc.) can be included. For
the same sized array 105 of lenses, to incorporate additional
segments, the width w of the segments may be reduced.
Alternatively, to incorporate additional (e.g., same sized)
segments, the size of the lenses (e.g., W.sub.L) may be
increased.
With further reference to FIG. 1B, the first segments 101 can
include specular reflecting features 132 and diffusing features
135. The specular reflecting features 132 can define the icon 112
and the diffusing features 135 can define the first background 115.
In various embodiments, a master used to form the specular
reflecting features 132 and/or the diffusing features 135 can be
prepared by using an electron beam, lithographic techniques, and/or
etching.
The specular reflecting features 132 can be provided by a mirror
such as a metallized relatively flat and/or smooth surface. In some
instances, the metallized surface can include metals such as
aluminum, silver, gold, copper, titanium, zinc, tin, and alloys
thereof (e.g., bronze).
The diffusing features 135 can be provided by a diffuser such as a
kinoform diffuser (and may be replicated from a master that was
formed using a holographic process that involved interfering light
on a photosensitive material), a tailored micro diffuser, or a
resin containing scattering particles such as TiO.sub.2 or other
type of diffuser. In certain embodiments, the diffusing features
135 can provide a matte white or a paper white finish or a grey
finish. The surface texture of the diffusing features 135 can
provide "color consistency" (e.g., a consistent white or grey look)
and/or consistent brightness. In various embodiments, the surface
texture of the specular reflecting features 132 can provide "color
contrast" with the diffusing features 135 (e.g., providing a dark
or shiny look adjacent the white or grey look). In some
embodiments, the diffusing features 135 can include a tint, dye,
ink, or pigment (or other material where absorption provides color)
to change the color from white or grey, but maintain a matte finish
appearance (e.g. a matte color such as matte green, matte red,
etc.). In various embodiments, the high contrast and consistency
can allow the presented image to be relatively invariant as the
light source changes its position. An image having high contrast
and consistency is effective in public recognition and awareness,
which can be advantageous for a security device.
In various embodiments, the diffusing features 135 can include
relatively fine and shallow features allowing the features to be
used on a product (e.g., a bank note) without substantially
increasing the thickness of the product. Further, a smaller sized
feature in general, allows more features to be incorporated for a
line of an image, which can allow for better diffusion and increase
the resolution of the image.
The surface measurements of the diffusing features 135 can be
measured by various instruments, such as by an apparatus marketed
by Keyence. For example, the surface texture can be analyzed based
on International Standard ISO 25178 to measure, for example,
arithmetic mean height, maximum height, texture aspect ratio,
arithmetic mean peak curvature, developed interfacial area ratio,
root mean square height, skewness, kurtosis, maximum peak height.
An example diffuser was measured within the following parameters.
The diffusing features 135 can have an arithmetic mean height Sa
(e.g., arithmetic mean of the absolute value of the height from the
mean plane of the surface) less than or equal to 5 microns (e.g.,
less than or equal to 1 micron, less than or equal to 0.5 micron,
less than or equal to 0.3 micron, less than or equal to 0.2 micron,
etc.), and/or have an arithmetic mean height from 0.01 micron to 5
microns, in any range within this range (e.g., 0.01 micron to 3
microns, 0.01 micron to 1 micron, 0.01 micron to 0.5 micron, 0.05
micron to 3 microns, 0.05 micron to 1 micron, 0.05 micron to 0.5
micron, 0.05 micron to 0.3 micron, 0.05 micron to 0.2 micron, 0.1
micron to 1 micron, 0.1 micron to 0.5 micron, 0.1 micron to 0.3
micron, 0.1 micron to 0.2 micron, etc.), of any values within these
ranges, or in any ranges formed by such values. In certain
embodiments, the maximum height Sz (e.g., distance between the
highest point and the lowest point on the surface) of the diffusing
features 135 can be less than or equal to 10 microns (e.g., less
than or equal to 8 microns, less than or equal to 5 microns, less
than or equal to 3 microns, less than or equal to 2 microns, etc.)
and/or be from 0.01 micron to 10 microns, in any range within this
range (e.g., 0.1 micron to 5 microns, 0.15 micron to 5 microns, 0.2
microns to 5 micron, 0.5 micron to 5 microns, 0.5 micron to 3
microns, 1 micron to 3 microns, etc.), any values within these
ranges, or in any ranges formed by such values. The diffusing
features 135 can have a texture aspect ratio Str (e.g., a measure
of uniformity of the surface texture) of less than 5 (e.g., less
than 3, less than 1, etc.), and/or have a texture aspect ratio from
0.01 to 5, in any range within this range (e.g., from 0.2 to 1,
from 0.5 to 1, etc.), of any values within these ranges, or in any
ranges formed by such values. In some embodiments the diffusing
features 135 can have an arithmetic mean peak curvature Spc (e.g.,
the arithmetic mean of principal curvature of peaks) greater than
or equal to 1,000 l/mm (e.g., greater than or equal to 10,000 l/mm,
greater than or equal to 30,000 l/mm, etc.), and/or have an
arithmetic mean peak curvature from 1,000 l/mm to 100,000 l/mm, in
any range within this range (e.g., 10,000 l/mm to 80,000 l/mm,
15,000 l/mm to 80,000 l/mm, 25,000 l/mm to 65,000 l/mm, 30,000 l/mm
to 50,000 l/mm, etc.), of any values within these ranges, or in any
ranges formed by such values.
In various examples, the developed interfacial area ratio Sdr
(e.g., percentage of the definition area's additional surface area
contributed by the texture as compared to the planar footprint or
definition area) of the diffusing features 135 can be less than or
equal to 10 (e.g., less than or equal to 5, less than or equal to
4, less than or equal to 3, less than or equal to 2, etc.), and/or
have a developed interfacial area ratio from 0.5 to 10, in any
range within this range (e.g., from 0.8 to 7, from 1 to 2, from 1.2
to 1.8, etc.), of any values within these ranges, or in any ranges
formed by such values. In some embodiments, the root mean square
height Sq (e.g., standard deviation .sigma. of heights) can be less
than or equal to 5 microns (e.g., less than or equal to 0.5 micron,
less than or equal to 0.3 micron, less than or equal to 0.2 micron,
etc.), and/or have a root mean square height from 0.05 micron to 5
microns, in any range within this range (e.g., 0.05 micron to 1
micron, 0.05 micron to 0.5 micron, 0.1 micron to 0.5 micron, etc.),
of any values within these ranges, or in any ranges formed by such
values. The diffusing features 135 can have skewness Ssk (e.g.,
degree of bias of the roughness shape) of less than or equal to 5
(e.g., less than or equal to 3, less than or equal to 1, etc.),
and/or have a skewness from 0.01 to 5, in any range within this
range (e.g., from 0.5 to 5, from 0.6 to 2, from 0.7 to 1, etc.), of
any values within these ranges, or in any ranges formed by such
values. The surface can have a kurtosis Sku (e.g., measure of the
sharpness of the roughness profile) of less than or equal to 10
(e.g., less than or equal to 8, less than or equal to 5, etc.),
and/or have a kurtosis from 0.5 to 10, in any range within this
range (e.g., from 0.8 to 9, from 1.2 to 7, from 2 to 5, etc.), of
any values within these ranges, or in any ranges formed by such
values. The maximum peak height Sp (e.g., height of the highest
peak) of the diffusing features 135 can be less than or equal to 10
microns (e.g., less than or equal to 8 microns, less than or equal
to 5 microns, less than or equal to 3 microns, less than or equal
to 2 microns, etc.) and/or be from 0.05 micron to 10 microns, in
any range within this range (e.g., 0.1 micron to 5 microns, 0.15
micron to 3 microns, 0.18 micron to 2 microns, etc.), any values
within these ranges, or in any ranges formed by such values.
The diffusing features 135 can be configured to provide Lambertian
reflectance, such as reflectance with the brightness appearing the
same regardless of one's angle of view. In some instances, the
diffusing features 135 can have an elliptical or linear output. In
various embodiments, the diffusing features 135 can be
characterized by a Bi-Directional Reflectance Distribution Function
(BRDF), and can have a zero-order peak. In some embodiments, the
diffusing features 135 can have a brightness greater than or equal
to 85, such as 85, 86, 88, 90, 95, 99 and/or in a range from 85 to
100, in any range within this range (e.g., from 88 to 100, from 90
to 100, etc.), of any values within these ranges, or in any ranges
formed by such values and/or can have a whiteness index greater
than or equal to 85, such as 85, 86, 88, 90, 95, 99 and/or in a
range from 85 to 100, in any range within this range (e.g., from 88
to 100, from 90 to 100, etc.), of any values within these ranges,
or in any ranges formed by such values. In various embodiments, the
device can be dependent on the color of the light source. For
example, if one views the device under a sodium light source, the
overall color can be yellowish, whereas under a white light source,
the device can be achromatic (without color).
In certain embodiments, because of a relatively high contrast
between the specular reflecting features 132 and the diffusing
features 135 as will be disclosed herein, the security device 100
can operate under a variety of light sources, including low light
(e.g., subdued lighting as found in bars and restaurants or at dusk
or at dawn). In certain embodiments, the specular reflecting
features 132 and the diffusing features 135 can provide no
diffractive or interference color (e.g., no wavelength dispersion
or rainbows or rainbow effects). In various embodiments, the range
of brightness from white to black can be used, without color (e.g.,
achromatic). However, some embodiments can be colored (e.g., green,
red, brown, yellow, etc.) so that a monochromatic effect can be
seen. For example, in some embodiments, the diffusing features can
comprise a tint, an ink, a transparent dye, an opaque dye, or an
opaque pigment where absorption can provide color. However, in some
implementations, the brightness or luminance can change. Thus, in
some implementations, a change in brightness can be used with a
monochromatic effect. For example, the brightness or luminance many
change, however, the chromaticity or the location on the
chromaticity diagram remains the same.
By incorporating specular reflecting features 132 to define the
icon 112 and diffusing features 135 to define the first background
115 of the first image 110, certain embodiments of security devices
100 can present relatively high contrast between icon 112 and first
background 115 and a sharp border between the icon 112 and first
background 115. For example, the specular reflecting features 132
can be adjacent or abutting next to the diffusing features 135. In
some instances, the specular reflecting features 132 can be
embedded within the diffusing features 135, or vice versa. One way
to characterize the border or a high definition line can be by the
differential (e.g., derivative or slope) across the boundary.
Relatively sharp lines with little or no gradual change or having a
ragged edge can typically have a rapidly changing profile. Those
that have a gradual transition from one brightness to another
brightness can have a slow rising and receding differential trace.
Relatively high contrast can have a narrow differential trace with
large height while relatively low contrast can have a wide
differential trace with small height. In various embodiments, a 3D
profile of the surface can be mapped, e.g., with a ZYGO
interferometer, between a region including specular reflecting
features 132 and a region including diffusing features. In some
embodiments, the width of the physical transition of the boundary
can be from 0.1 micron to 2 microns (e.g., 0.8 micron, 1 micron,
1.2 microns, etc.), in any range within this range (e.g., 0.2
micron to 2 microns, 0.5 micron to 2 microns, etc.), any values
within these ranges, or in any ranges formed by such values.
Various discussions provided herein refer to viewing in the
specular direction (e.g., on-axis viewing) as well as viewing in a
direction other than the specular direction (e.g., off-axis
viewing). As is well known, according to Snell's law, light
incident on a flat smooth surface at an angle of incidence,
.theta..sub.i, (e.g., measured with respect to the surface normal
of the flat smooth surface) will be reflected at an angle of
reflection, .theta..sub.r, (e.g., measured with respect to the
surface normal of the flat smooth surface) such that the angle of
incidence, .theta..sub.i, is equal to the angle of reflection,
.theta..sub.r, (e.g., .theta..sub.i=.theta..sub.r). The specular
direction refers to the direction of this reflected light, e.g.,
the reflected light directed at the angle, .theta..sub.r, with
respect to the normal. The direction other than the specular
direction refers to the direction not corresponding to the
direction of this reflected light, e.g., the reflected light
directed at the angle, .theta..sub.r, with respect to the normal
off the surface. The specular direction is also used herein in
connection with diffuse surfaces to correspond to the angle of
reflection, .theta..sub.r, that is equal to the angle of incidence,
.theta..sub.i, even though a diffuse surface will not necessarily
limit the light scattered therefrom to the specular direction and
will scatter light in many directions other than in a direction
having an angle of reflection, .theta..sub.r, equal to the angle of
incidence, .theta..sub.i. The terms "on-axis" and "off-axis" may
also be used interchangeably with the direction of specular
reflection and a direction not corresponding to the specular
direction, respectively.
Although the description above refers to the angles of reflection
as is applicable for reflective surfaces, the structures described
herein should not be limited to reflective structures and may, for
example, comprise transmissive structures and/or a combination of
reflective and transmissive structures. For example, as described
herein, the specular reflecting features 132 can include metallized
relatively flat and/or smooth surfaces, and the diffusing features
135 can include metallized scattering or diffusing microstructure
(e.g., having surface relief such as provided by a kinoform
diffuser) on a side 152 of the substrate 150 opposite the array 105
of lenses (e.g., a 1D or 2D array of lenses) such that the smooth
features 132 and the diffusing features 135 reflect light from the
same side of the array 105 of lenses. For instance, the smooth
features 132 can be configured to specularly reflect light (e.g.,
when viewing in the specular direction), and the diffusing features
135 can be configured to diffusely reflect light.
Instead of metallized smooth features 132 and metallized diffusing
features 135 reflecting light from the same side of the array 105
of lenses, the smooth features 132 and/or the diffusing features
135 may allow light to transmit through from the opposite side of
the array 105 of lenses. In various embodiments, the smooth
features 132 can be metallized while the diffusing features are not
metallized such that the smooth features 132 can be configured to
specularly reflect light (e.g., when viewing in the specular
direction) from the same side of the array 105 of lenses, and the
diffusing features 135 can be configured to diffusely transmit
light from the opposite side of the array 105 of lenses. For
example, a coating of partially transmissive and partially
reflective zinc sulfide (ZnS) or other high refractive index
material (e.g., a transparent material with an index of about 1.6
to about 3, about 1.6 to about 2.75, about 1.6 to about 2.5, about
1.6 to about 2, about 1.65 to about 3, about 1.65 to about 2.75,
about 1.65 to about 2.5, about 1.65 to about 2, about 1.7 to about
3, about 1.7 to about 2.75, about 1.7 to about 2.5, about 1.7 to
about 2, about 1.8 to about 3, about 1.8 to about 2.75, about 1.8
to about 2.5, possibly about 2.0 or greater, with substantially
little absorption such as cerium oxide, aluminum oxide, titanium
dioxide, tantalum pentoxide, zirconium dioxide, etc.) can be
deposited over the smooth features 132 and the microstructure of
the diffusing features 135 (e.g., on a side opposite the array 105
of lenses) followed by an opaque coating of vacuum deposited
aluminum (or other reflective metal such as silver, gold, chromium,
copper, titanium, zinc, tin, nickel, bronze, etc.). The aluminum
can be selectively metallized (e.g., using a partial metallization
method such as forming a patterned metal layer) or selectively
demetallized (e.g., using a demetallization method such as alkali
etching or oil based lift off or ablation to remove exposed,
unprotected metal) or laser ablated (e.g., using a laser to remove
regions of metal) from the diffusing features 135 such that the
regions having smooth features 132 are reflective and diffusing
features 135 are transmissive. Alternatively, the high index layer
can be deposited after incorporating the aluminum (e.g., after
selective metallization, selective demetallization, or laser
ablation) such that the smooth features 132 are reflective and
diffusing features 135 are transmissive.
Being transmissive, the diffusing features 135 in some embodiments
may be configured to be nondetectable in transmission. In some such
embodiments, a high index layer (e.g., ZnS or other high refractive
index material such as titanium dioxide, tantalum pentoxide,
zirconium dioxide, etc. or a combination of such materials) can
increase optical effect (e.g., visibility) of the features 135. For
example, a high index layer can provide an index mismatch with the
features 135 such that the boundaries of the relatively fine and
shallow features of the diffusing features 135 can be viewable
(e.g., by reflection at the interfaces) or can cause an index
mismatch so optical interfaces do not vanish. Index mismatch can
enable Snell's law of refraction to occur and light to be deviated
to provide a diffusing effect. Although various embodiments are
described as using a high index material, some embodiments might
not use a high index material, but just a material with a different
refractive index as the diffusing features 135.
In various embodiments, the diffusing features 135 can be viewed in
transmission, for example, by light from the opposite side of the
array 105, even though the diffusing features 135 may also reflect
light incident on the diffusing surfaces. In some embodiments, the
diffusing features 135 can be more diffusely transmissive than
diffusely reflective.
For example, the diffusing features 135 can be in a range from
about 51% to about 100% diffusely transmissive, in any range within
this range (e.g., from about 60% to about 100% diffusely
transmissive, from about 65% to about 99% diffusely transmissive,
from about 70% to about 99% diffusely transmissive, from about 80%
to about 99% diffusely transmissive, from about 90% to about 99%
diffusely transmissive, from about 95% to about 99% diffusely
transmissive, from about 60% to about 95% diffusely transmissive,
from about 65% to about 95% diffusely transmissive, from about 70%
to about 95% diffusely transmissive, from about 80% to about 95%
diffusely transmissive, from about 90% to about 95% diffusely
transmissive), any values within these ranges, and/or in any ranges
formed by such values.
Alternatively, in some embodiments, selective metallization,
selective demetallization, or laser ablation can be used such that
the smooth features 132 are not metallized while the diffusing
features are metallized. The smooth features 132 can be transparent
(e.g., substantially clear and/or without substantial image
distortion and/or without substantial degradation, for example,
such that objects behind can be distinctly seen) and configured to
transmit light from the opposite side of the array 105 of lenses,
and the diffusing features 135 can be configured to diffusely
reflect light from the same side of the array 105 of lenses. In
some embodiments, a layer may be disposed against the unmetallized
smooth features 132 to provide contrast against the adjacent white
appearance or color provided by the metallized diffusing features.
For example, the unmetallized smooth features 132 may be provided
with a color coating.
Alternatively, in some embodiments, only a high index coating
(e.g., substantially no metallization) covers both the smooth
features 132 and diffusing features 135 such that both features are
viewed in transmission. For example, the smooth features 132 can be
transparent and configured to transmit light from the opposite side
of the array 105 of lenses. In some instances, the high index
coating may cause an index mismatch such that the smooth features
132 may also reflect light at the interface. The smooth features
132 can be more transmissive than reflective. Also, the diffusing
features 135 can be configured to diffusely transmit light from the
opposite side of the array 105 of lenses. The diffusing features
135 may also reflect light at the interface with the index
mismatched material. As described herein, in some embodiments, the
diffusing features 135 can be more diffusely transmissive than
diffusely reflective.
In some examples, after the smooth features 132 and diffusing
features 135 are applied/coupled (e.g., facets, microroughness,
microstructure, and/or kinoform diffusers embossed, patterned,
laminated, etc.) to the backside 152 of the substrate or carrier
150, a high index layer (e.g., a ZnS layer) can provide an index
mismatch with the smooth features 132 and/or diffusing features 135
(e.g., a polymer such as acrylic polymer). Also, in place of the
high index layer, other transparent or optically transmissive index
mismatched material can be used. For example, the index mismatch
can provide reflection of the smooth features 132 and/or diffusing
features 135 (e.g., Fresnel reflection) and/or provide for Snell's
law of refraction. In some embodiments, without an index mismatched
layer, use of an adhesive which has a similar index as the layer
where the diffusing features are formed, the features may optically
disappear (e.g., reflection and refraction not being significant to
be noticeable).
In addition, the index mismatched layer (and/or another
transmissive coating layer over the index mismatched layer) can
provide a layer over the smooth 132 and/or diffusing features 135
for protection and/or to decrease the chances of counterfeiting
(e.g., copying). Alternatively, in some embodiments, the index
mismatched layer can be deposited after incorporating an aluminum
(or other metal) region and removing some of the aluminum (e.g.,
after selective metallization, selective demetallization, or laser
ablation).
In further examples, additional layers of the index mismatched
layer can be provided to increase reflectivity of diffusing
features 135. For example, additional layers of a high refractive
index material can be provided over unmetallized diffusing features
135 such that the diffusing features are more diffusely reflective
than diffusely transmissive. In addition, multiple layers such as
multiple layers of different refractive index can be provided. In
some embodiments, for example, a plurality of layers can be
provided to produce an interference effect such as reflection by
interference. An interference coating can be configured to operate
as a reflector. Such an interference-based reflective feature may,
for example, comprise a plurality of alternating high and low index
layers. For example, the plurality of layers can include a high
index layer and a low index layer or a high index layer, a low
index layer, and a high index layer (e.g., each having a thickness
of a quarter wavelength) to create an interference effect (e.g., a
quarter wave stack that is a reflector or a quarter wave
reflector). Optical interference can thus be employed by creating
optical interference coatings that may produce reflective features
or regions.
For example, the diffusing features 135 can be in a range from
about 51% to about 100% diffusely reflective, in any range within
this range (e.g., from about 60% to about 100% diffusely
reflective, from about 65% to about 99% diffusely reflective, from
about 70% to about 99% diffusely reflective, from about 80% to
about 99% diffusely reflective, from about 90% to about 99%
diffusely reflective, from about 95% to about 99% diffusely
reflective, from about 60% to about 95% diffusely reflective, from
about 65% to about 95% diffusely reflective, from about 70% to
about 95% diffusely reflective, from about 80% to about 95%
diffusely reflective, from about 90% to about 95% diffusely
reflective), any values within these ranges, and/or in any ranges
formed by such values.
When incorporating transmissive structures (e.g., transparent
features 132 or diffusing optically transmissive features 135
configured to diffusely transmit light) into a product such as a
banknote or other document, some embodiments can include a windowed
feature. For example, the device 100 can be coupled on the backside
(e.g., laminated on a side opposite the array 105 of lenses) to a
window in an underlying product (e.g., an opening in an underlying
paper/plastic/cloth/fabric base material or a clear region in an
underlying plastic or polymer base material) such that light can
transmit through the window and the transmissive structure. In some
embodiments, the windowed feature can include a transmissive layer
(e.g., a high index layer or other coating) for protection and/or
to decrease chances of duplication. In some embodiments, when
incorporating transmissive structures (e.g., transparent features
132 or diffusing optically transmissive features 135) to an
underlying product, the device 100 can be coupled (e.g., with a
transmissive adhesive and an index mismatched material such as a
high refractive index material) to the underlying product (e.g.,
with or without a window) such that the transmissive structures can
allow information (e.g., color, printing, graphics, a photograph,
etc.) from the underlying product to be viewed. For example, in
some implementations, transmissive structures (e.g., transparent
features 132 or diffusing features 135) can be provided on a
substrate (e.g., on the side opposite of the array of lenses),
coated with an index mismatched material, and attached to an
underlying product with a transmissive adhesive such that
information (e.g., color, printing, graphics, photograph, etc.) on
the underlying product can be viewed when looking through the
lenses. As described herein, the transmissive structures (e.g.,
transparent features 132 or diffusing features 135) can also
reflect light at the index mismatched interface. The transmissive
features can be more transmissive (e.g., from about 51% to about
100% transmissive) than reflective (e.g., 0% to about 49%
reflective). In some instances, these transmissive features can be
about 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 49%
reflective, or any ranges formed by any such values (e.g., 0% to
40% reflective, 0% to 45% reflective, 5% to 40% reflective, 5% to
45% reflective, 10% to 40% reflective, 10% to 45% reflective, 15%
to 40%, 15% to 45%, 20% to 40%, 20% to 45%, etc.). Reflective
features, such as decorative features, may be formed however by the
index mismatched material such as high refractive index material or
reflective interference coating(s) that provide some level of
reflectivity in addition to some level of optical transmission.
Although the smooth features 132 (specular reflecting or
transparent) are illustrated as defining the icon 112 and the
diffusing features 135 (diffusely reflective or diffusely
transmissive) are illustrated as defining the background 115 of an
image 110, in some embodiments, the diffusing features 135
(diffusely reflective or diffusely transmissive) can be configured
to define the icon 112 and the smooth features 132 (specular
reflecting or transparent) can be configured to define the
background 115 of an image 110. By incorporating smooth features
132 (specular reflecting or transparent) in combination with
diffusing features 135 (diffusely reflective or diffusely
transmissive) to define either the icon or the background of an
image, relatively high contrast and/or a sharp border between the
icon and background can be presented to the viewer.
Other combinations of specular reflecting, transparent, and
diffusing (diffusely reflective or diffusely transmissive) features
for the icons and backgrounds are possible. For example, in certain
embodiments, specular reflecting features and transparent features
can define the icon and the background respectively (or vice
versa). As another example, in various embodiments, diffusely
reflective features and diffusely transmissive features can define
the icon and the background respectively (or vice versa). In some
embodiments, specular reflecting features and transparent features
can define the icon, and diffusely reflective features and
diffusely transmissive features can define the background. In some
embodiments, specular reflecting features, transparent features,
diffusely reflective features, or diffusely transmissive features
can define both the icon and the background (e.g., by incorporating
different specular reflectances, pigments, etc. to provide
contrast). Combinations of these different types can be included on
different portions of a product or packaging.
Although various examples herein are described with respect to
reflective structures (e.g., specular reflecting features and/or
diffusely reflective features), one or more of the reflective
structures can be substituted or combined with one or more
transmissive structures (e.g., transparent features or diffusely
transmissive features) described herein. In some embodiments, the
reflective structures can be more reflective than transmissive, and
the transmissive structures can be more transmissive than
reflective. For example, the reflective structures can be in a
range from about 51% to about 100% reflective, in any range within
this range (e.g., from about 60% to about 100% reflective, from
about 65% to about 100% reflective, from about 70% to about 100%
reflective, from about 80% to about 100% reflective, from about 90%
to about 100% reflective, from about 95% to about 100% reflective,
from about 60% to about 99% reflective, from about 65% to about 99%
reflective, from about 70% to about 99% reflective, from about 80%
to about 99% reflective, from about 90% to about 99% reflective,
from about 60% to about 95% reflective, from about 65% to about 95%
reflective, from about 70% to about 95% reflective, from about 80%
to about 95% reflective, from about 90% to about 95% reflective),
any values within these ranges, and/or in any ranges formed by such
values. These reflective structures can be in a range from about 0%
to about 49% transmissive, in a range within this range (e.g., from
about 0% to about 40% transmissive, from about 0% to about 35%
transmissive, from about 0% to about 30% transmissive, from about
0% to about 20% transmissive, from about 0% to about 10%
transmissive, from about 0% to about 5% transmissve, from about 1%
to about 40% transmissive, from about 1% to about 35% transmissive,
from about 1% to about 30% transmissive, from about 1% to about 20%
transmissive, from about 1% to about 10% transmissive, from about
5% to about 40% transmissive, from about 5% to about 35%
transmissive, from about 5% to about 30% transmissive, from about
5% to about 20% transmissive, from about 5% to about 10%
transmissive), any values within these ranges, and/or any ranges
formed by such values. As another example, the transmissive
structures can be in a range from about 51% to about 100%
transmissive, in any range within this range (e.g., from about 60%
to about 100% transmissive, from about 65% to about 100%
transmissive, from about 70% to about 100% transmissive, from about
80% to about 100% transmissive, from about 90% to about 100%
transmissive, from about 95% to about 100% transmissive, from about
60% to about 99% transmissive, from about 65% to about 99%
transmissive, from about 70% to about 99% transmissive, from about
80% to about 99% transmissive, from about 90% to about 99%
transmissive, from about 60% to about 95% transmissive, from about
65% to about 95% transmissive, from about 70% to about 95%
transmissive, from about 80% to about 95% transmissive, from about
90% to about 95% transmissive), any values within these ranges,
and/or in any ranges formed by such values. These transmissive
structures can be in a range from about 0% to about 49% reflective,
in a range within this range (e.g., from about 0% to about 40%
reflective, from about 0% to about 35% reflective, from about 0% to
about 30% reflective, from about 0% to about 20% reflective, from
about 0% to about 10% reflective, from about 0% to about 5%
reflective, from about 1% to about 40% reflective, from about 1% to
about 35% reflective, from about 1% to about 30% reflective, from
about 1% to about 20% reflective, from about 1% to about 10%
reflective, from about 5% to about 40% reflective, from about 5% to
about 35% reflective, from about 5% to about 30% reflective, from
about 5% to about 20% reflective, from about 5% to about 10%
reflective, from about 10% to about 40% reflective, from about 10%
to about 35% reflective, from about 10% to about 30% reflective,
from about 10% to about 20% reflective), any values within these
ranges, and/or in any ranges formed by such values. In some
instances, the reflective and/or transmissive structures can be 50%
reflective and 50% transmissive.
FIG. 2A schematically illustrates viewing at an angle in the
specular direction of specular reflecting features 132 (e.g.,
on-axis viewing) and at the same angle (e.g., off-axis viewing) of
diffusing features 135 in accordance with certain embodiments
described herein. For simplicity, the array 105 of lenses is not
shown. As shown in FIG. 2A, light from an incoming direction Is can
be reflected from the specular reflecting features 132 primarily in
a single direction R.sub.S. The reflectance from the specular
reflecting features 132 can appear the brightest when viewing in
the single direction R.sub.S of specular reflectance (e.g., viewing
at an angle in the specular direction).
In contrast, light from an incoming direction I.sub.D can be
reflected from the diffusing features 135 in multiple directions
R.sub.D. The reflectance from the diffusing features 135 is
generally the same in the multiple directions including in the
direction of specular reflectance of the specular reflecting
features 132. In general, the reflectance from the diffusing
features 135 is not as bright as the reflectance from the specular
reflecting features 132 when viewing at the angle in the specular
direction. However, the reflectance from the diffusing features 135
can be more reflective than the specular reflecting features 132
when viewing at an angle not in the specular direction.
For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, because light from an incoming
direction Is can be reflected from the specular reflecting features
132 primarily in a single direction R.sub.S1, the reflectance from
the specular reflecting features 132 can appear dark when viewing
at an angle not in the specular direction (e.g., directions
R.sub.S2 other than the single direction R.sub.S1). With further
reference to FIG. 2B, light from an incoming direction I.sub.D can
be reflected from the diffusing features 135 in multiple directions
R.sub.D. The reflectance from the diffusing features 135 can appear
the same (e.g., and not as bright as from the specular reflecting
features 135 at the specular reflective angle) in the multiple
directions, e.g., directions of specular reflectance of the
specular reflecting features 132 as well as other directions.
In certain embodiments, high contrast between two regions (a first
region defined by the specular reflecting features 132 and a second
region defined by the diffusing features 135) can be achieved under
multiple, if not all, angles of viewing. For example, FIG. 2C
schematically illustrates certain images and effects that can be
presented during viewing at an angle in the specular direction by a
security device in accordance with certain embodiments described
herein. FIG. 2D schematically illustrates certain images and
effects that can be presented during viewing at an angle not in the
specular direction by the security device in accordance with
certain embodiments described herein. In this example, the specular
reflecting features 132 define the icon 112, and the diffusing
features 135 define the background 115. Referring to FIG. 2C, the
icon 112 appears very bright (e.g., high reflectance) against a
matte white or grey background 115. Referring to FIG. 2D, the icon
112 appears dark (e.g., low reflectance) against a matte white or
grey background 115. In both viewing situations, there is high
contrast between the icon 112 and the background 115. The contrast
can be measured as the percentage of the difference between the
maximum brightness and the minimum brightness divided by the sum of
the maximum brightness and minimum brightness. In various
embodiments, when viewing at an angle in the specular direction of
the specular reflecting features 132 (e.g., FIG. 2C), the contrast
of an image presented by certain devices described herein can be
from 25% to 50% (e.g., 30%, 32%, 35%, 40%, 42%, 45%, etc.), and/or
in any range within this range (e.g., from 30% to 50%, from 30% to
48%, from 30% to 45%, etc.), any values within these ranges, or in
any ranges formed by such values. When viewing at an angle not in
the specular direction (e.g., FIG. 2D), the contrast of an image
presented by certain devices described herein can be from 50% to
90% (e.g., 60%, 62%, 65%, 70%, 72%, 75%, 78%, etc.), and/or in any
range within this range (e.g., from 55% to 85%, from 60% to 85%,
from 60% to 80%, etc.), any values within these ranges, or in any
ranges formed by such values. In other embodiments, when viewing at
an angle in the specular direction of the specular reflecting
features 132, the contrast of an image presented by certain devices
described herein can be from 50% to 90% (e.g., 60%, 62%, 65%, 70%,
72%, 75%, 78%, etc.), and/or in any range within this range (e.g.,
from 55% to 85%, from 60% to 85%, from 60% to 80%, etc.), any
values within these ranges, or in any ranges formed by such values.
When viewing at an angle not in the specular direction, the
contrast of an image presented by certain devices described herein
can be from 25% to 50% (e.g., 30%, 32%, 35%, 40%, 42%, 45%, etc.),
and/or in any range within this range (e.g., from 30% to 50%, from
30% to 48%, from 30% to 45%, etc.), any values within these ranges,
or in any ranges formed by such values. In these examples, the
contrast percentage is higher for either viewing at an angle in the
specular direction or not in the specular direction. However, in
some embodiments, the contrast percentage can be similar for
viewing at an angle in the specular direction and not in the
specular direction. For example, the contrast percentage can be
from 25% to 90% (e.g., 30%, 32%, 35%, 40%, 42%, 45%, 50%, 60%, 62%,
65%, 70%, 72%, 75%, 78%, etc.), and/or in any range within this
range (e.g., from 30% to 50%, from 30% to 48%, from 30% to 45%,
from 55% to 85%, from 60% to 85%, from 60% to 80%, etc.), any
values within these ranges, or in any ranges formed by such values
for both viewing situations.
In various embodiments, the device 100 can have viewing angles from
negative angles (e.g., device 100 tilted towards the viewer)
through the normal and to positive angles (e.g., device 100 tilted
away from the viewer). Because light from an incoming direction
I.sub.D can be reflected from the specular reflecting features 132
primarily in a single direction R.sub.S1, the device 100 may be
viewed at an angle not in the specular direction for the majority
of the time. For example, as the device 100 is tilted from negative
through the normal and to positive angles, a dark icon 112 against
a matte white or grey background 115 (e.g., FIG. 2D) can switch
between appearing and disappearing. The icon 112 and the
backgrounds 115, 125 are achromatic. As the device 100 is tilted to
the angle of specular reflectance, a very bright icon 112 against a
matte white or grey background 115 (e.g., FIG. 2C) can appear. In
some cases, depending on the metallization and processing of the
specular reflecting features 132, a color (e.g., a shiny aluminum
color or a shiny copper color) may appear momentarily against a
matte white or grey background 115. As the device 100 is tilted out
of the angle of specular reflectance and beyond, a dark icon 112
against a matte white or grey background 115 (e.g., FIG. 2D) can
once again switch between appearing and disappearing.
Various embodiments can utilize a relatively high contrast and a
sharp border between the two regions, e.g., between the icon 112
and the first background 115, and/or between a region at the first
viewing angle .alpha. and a region at the second viewing angle
.beta., e.g., between the icon 112 and the second background 125.
The contrast and sharpness of images in an example device is shown
in FIGS. 6A, 6B-1, 6B-2, 6B-3, and 6B-4.
With reference back to FIG. 1B, the specular reflecting features
132 can define the icon 112 and the diffusing features 135 can
define the first background 115. In other embodiments still
utilizing a relatively high contrast, the specular reflecting
features 132 can define the first background 115 and the diffusing
features 135 can define the icon 112. As shown in FIG. 1B, the
first background 115 can have an outer shape 115b and size. The
second background 125 can also have an outer shape 125b and a size.
The outer shapes 115b, 125b can be shaped as described herein, but
are shown in FIG. 1B as a rectangle for simplicity.
With further reference to FIG. 1B, the second segments 102 can
include diffusing features 145. The diffusing features 145 can
define the second background 125. Because there is no icon 112
within the second background 125, by tilting the device 100 from
the first viewing angle .alpha. to the second viewing angle .beta.,
the array 105 of lenses can switch the icon 112 off. In certain
embodiments, the diffusing features 145 of the second segments 102
can be different than the diffusing features 135 of the first
segments 101. However, in various embodiments, the diffusing
features 145 of the second segments 102 can be the same as the
diffusing features 135 of the first segments 101. In some such
embodiments (e.g., with the first and second backgrounds 115, 125
also having the same outer shape 115b, 125b and size), the second
background 125 at the second viewing angle .beta. looks the same
(e.g., in shape, size, and brightness) as the first background 115
viewable at the first viewing angle .alpha.. For example, the
viewer can see the icon 112 appear and disappear against similar
backgrounds 115, 125 upon tilting the device 100 from the first
viewing angle .alpha. to the second viewing angle .beta.. Although
the array 105 of lenses switches from first background 115 to
second background 125, the viewer sees a background 125 that
appears unchanged (e.g., constant shape, size, and/or
brightness).
In various embodiments, the icon 112 and/or the backgrounds 115,
125 are achromatic. In some instances, the icon 112 and/or the
backgrounds 115, 125 may be provided with monochromatic color
(e.g., green, red, brown, yellow, etc.) by incorporating color to
the specular reflecting features 132, the diffusing features 135,
145, and/or the lenses in the array 105 of lenses, and/or the
substrate 150. This may be a matte (or diffuse) color or a mixture
of matte colors as well as patterns or images formed by different
colors. In some instances, the specular reflecting features 132,
the diffusing features 135, 145, and/or the array 105 of lenses can
include a tint, a dye, ink, or a pigment. For an additional
security feature, the specular reflecting features 132, the
diffusing features 135, 145, and/or the array 105 of lenses can
include a covert feature, such as a fluorescent material (e.g., to
emit a color when exposed to UV light) or an up-converting pigment
(e.g., to convert near infrared light to visible light).
In FIGS. 1A and 1B, the outer shape 115b of the first background
115 is illustrated as a rectangle. The outer shape 125b of the
second background 125 is also illustrated as a rectangle. As
described herein, in some embodiments, the second background 125
can have the same shape, size, and diffusing features 145 as the
first background 115 such that the background appears unchanged
(e.g., in shape, size, and brightness) when tilting the device from
a first viewing angle .alpha. to a second viewing angle .beta.. In
various embodiments, at the first viewing angle .alpha., the array
105 of lenses can allow the icon 112 and a shaped background 115 to
be observed. At the second viewing angle .beta., the array 105 of
lenses can allow the same shaped background 125 to be observed. The
shape of the backgrounds 115, 125 is not particularly limited. In
some embodiments, the shape can include a pattern of alphanumeric
characters, symbols, images (e.g., art images), graphics, or
objects. For example, the background 115, 125 can include a circle,
a square, a rectangle, a hexagon, an oval, a star, or a knurled
edge. Other example backgrounds 115, 125 can be in the form of a
bell, an inkwell, or a number. However, a wide range of other
backgrounds are possible. In other embodiments, the shape and/or
size of first background 115 and second background 125 can be
different such that the background may appear to change when
tilting the device from a first viewing angle .alpha. to a second
viewing angle .beta..
In FIG. 1B, the first segments 101 include specular reflecting
features 132 defining the icon 112 and diffusing features 135
defining the first background 115, and the second segments 102
include diffusing features 145 to match the diffusing features 135
defining the first background 115 of the first segments 101.
However, in other embodiments, the first segments 101 can include
diffusing features 135 defining the icon 112 and specular
reflecting features 132 defining the first background 115, and the
second segments 102 can include specular reflecting features 145 to
match the specular reflecting features 132 of the first segments
101.
As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, there is a relatively narrow range of
specular reflection for the specular reflecting features 132 and a
relatively wide range of low reflection. Certain embodiments can
incorporate specular reflecting features 132 (e.g., in a first
segment 101) adjacent to diffusing features 145 (e.g., in a second
segment 102) such that the security device 100 can switch an icon
112 on and off with relatively small tilt angles. For example,
under a point light source (e.g., an LED), a user can switch the
icon on (or off) upon tilting the device, forward or backward, by
less than or equal to 15 degrees (e.g., 4 degrees, 5 degrees, 5.5
degrees, 6 degrees, 7 degrees, etc.), and/or a range from 2 degrees
to 15 degrees, any range within this range (e.g., 3 degrees to 15
degrees, 3 degrees to 14 degrees, 4 degrees to 15 degrees, 4
degrees to 14 degrees, 4 degrees to 13 degrees, 5 degrees to 15
degrees, 5 degrees to 13 degrees, etc.), any values within these
ranges, or any ranges formed by such values. As another example,
under an extended light source (e.g., incandescent light), a user
can switch the icon on (or off) upon tilting the device, forward or
backward, by less than or equal to 20 degrees (e.g., 8 degrees, 9
degrees, 10 degrees, 11 degrees, etc.), and/or a range from 2
degrees to 20 degrees, any range within this range (e.g., 2 degrees
to 18 degrees, 2 degrees to 15 degrees, 3 degrees to 15 degrees, 4
degrees to 15 degrees, 5 degrees to 15 degrees, 5 degrees to 12
degrees, etc.), any values within these ranges, or any ranges
formed by such values.
In some embodiments, the user can switch the icon back off (or back
on) upon tilting of the device in the opposite direction by at
least the same tilt angles described herein, or upon further
tilting of the device in the same direction by at least the same
tilt angles described herein. Further, incorporating specular
reflecting features 132 in a first segment 101 adjacent to
diffusing features 145 in a second segment 102 can provide the
relatively high contrast between these regions as described herein.
Such incorporation can allow the security device 100 to switch an
icon 112 on and off with sharp boundaries upon tilting from viewing
angle .alpha. to viewing angle .beta.. Advantageously, security
devices in accordance with certain embodiments can present sharp
icons that switch on and off rapidly with little, if no,
transitional state, which are difficult to reproduce.
In accordance with certain embodiments described herein, instead of
switching an icon on and off, a security device can be configured
to switch between at least two icons upon tilting the device. FIGS.
3A and 3B schematically illustrate an example of such a security
device. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B is similar to the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B except that instead of the
second image 120 including only the second background 125 (and no
second icon), the second image 320 in FIGS. 3A and 3B includes a
second icon 322 in addition to the second background 325.
Accordingly, the features disclosed herein relating to the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B extend to the embodiment shown
in FIGS. 3A and 3B.
For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the security device 300 can
include an array 305 of lenses and a plurality of first segments
301 and second segments 302 disposed under the array 305 of lenses.
Referring to FIG. 3B, the first segments 301a, 301b, 301c, 301d can
correspond to portions of a first image 310 (only top portion
illustrated). The second segments 302a, 302b, 302c, 302d can
correspond to portions of a second image 320 (only top portion
illustrated). The first image 310 can include a first icon 312 and
a first background 315. The second image 320 can include a second
icon 322 and a second background 325. Thus, instead of switching an
icon 112 on and off, the example embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A and
3B can switch between two icons 312, 322, or more particularly,
between two images 310, 320 with each image 310, 320 having an icon
312, 322 and a background 315, 325.
For example, at a first viewing angle .alpha., the array 305 of
lenses can be configured to allow the first image 310 for viewing
without allowing the second image 320 for viewing. At a second
viewing angle .beta. different from the first viewing angle
.alpha., the array 305 of lenses can be configured to allow the
second image 320 for viewing without allowing the first image 310
for viewing. Although various embodiments are described as allowing
one image to be viewed without allowing the other image to be
viewed, this does not preclude having two images with similar icons
and backgrounds but perceived differently. For example, the images
can include different perceptions of an object seen from different
orientations, perspectives, locations and/or an object that may
appear to move, rotate, change form, color, brightness, etc. For
instance, an object may appear to flip vertically, or an object may
appear to flip horizontally. In some such embodiments, the images
can be considered as different images.
Referring to FIG. 3B, the first segments 301 can include specular
reflecting features 332 and diffusing features 335. Instead of the
second segments 102 only including either specular reflecting
features or diffusing features 145, the second segments 302 can
include both specular reflecting features 342 and diffusing
features 345.
For the first 301 and second 302 segments, the specular reflecting
features 332, 342 can define either the icon 312, 322 or the
background 315, 325. If the specular reflecting features 332, 342
define the icon 312, 322, then the diffusing features 335, 345 can
define the background 315, 325. On the other hand, if the diffusing
features 335, 345 define the icon 312, 322, then the specular
reflecting features 332, 342 can define the background 315, 325. In
further embodiments, the specular reflecting features (e.g., the
specular reflecting features 332, 342) can define the icon (e.g.,
the first icon 312) in one set of segments (e.g., the first
segments 301) yet define the background (e.g., the second
background 325) in the other set of segments (e.g., the second
segments 302). The specular reflecting features 332, 342 can be
adjacent or abutting next to the diffusing features 335, 345 (e.g.,
for high contrast). In some instances, the specular reflecting
features 332, 342 can be embedded within the diffusing features
335, 345, or vice versa. Further, any of the reflective structures
(e.g., specular reflecting features or diffusely reflective
features) can be substituted or combined in any combination with
any of the transmissive structures described herein (e.g.,
transparent features or diffusely transmissive features).
In FIG. 3A, the specular reflecting features 332 in the first
segments 301 define the first icon 312, and the diffusing features
335 define the first background 315. The specular reflecting
features 342 in the second segments 302 define the second icon 322,
and the diffusing features 345 define the second background 325. In
various implementations, the diffusing features 335, 345 can
provide a constant brightness.
As described herein, incorporating specular reflecting features
332, 342 adjacent or abutted next to diffusing features 335, 345
can provide the relatively high contrast between icon 312, 322 and
background 315, 325 upon tilting from viewing angle .alpha. to
viewing angle .beta.. Advantageously, security devices in
accordance with certain embodiments can present for viewing a sharp
icon that switches rapidly to another sharp icon with little, if
no, transitional state, which are difficult to reproduce. The rapid
switching from one icon to another can occur even when the icons
312, 322 have different overall shapes from each other. In some
embodiments, it may be desired to have a transitional state (e.g.,
showing slow movement). In some such embodiments, switching can
occur among multiple icons to show the effect of movement.
Similar to the disclosure herein with respect to the embodiment
shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, in certain embodiments, the outer shape
325b of the second background 325, the size of the second
background 325, and the diffusing features 345 of the second
segments 302 can be the same or different than the outer shape 315b
of the first background 315, the size of the first background 315,
and the diffusing features 335 of the first segments 301. In
embodiments where they are the same, the viewer can see the icons
312, 322 switch from one to another against a similar background
315, 325 (e.g., in shape, size, and brightness) upon tilting the
device 300 from the first viewing angle .alpha. to the second
viewing angle .beta.. Thus, in various embodiments, at the first
viewing angle .alpha., the array 305 of lenses can present for
viewing the first icon 312 and a shaped background 315. At the
second viewing angle .beta., the array 305 of lenses can present
for viewing the second icon 322 in the same shaped background 325.
Although the array 305 of lenses switch from the first background
315 to the second background 325, the viewer sees an icon 312
switch to another icon 322 while the background 315 appears
unchanged (e.g., constant shape, size, and/or brightness). In
various instances, there can be high contrast with the backgrounds
being constant in brightness.
Similar to FIG. 2C, FIG. 3C schematically illustrates certain
images and effects that can be presented during viewing at an angle
in the specular direction by a security device in accordance with
certain embodiments described herein. Similar to FIG. 2D, FIG. 3D
schematically illustrates certain images and effects that can be
presented during viewing at an angle not in the specular direction
by the security device in accordance with certain embodiments
described herein. In this example, the specular reflecting features
332 define the first icon 312, and the diffusing features 335
define the first background 315. The specular reflecting features
342 define the second icon 322, and the diffusing features 345
define the second background 325. Referring to FIG. 3C, the icons
312, 322 appear very bright (e.g., high reflectance) against a
matte white or grey background 315, 325. Referring to FIG. 3D, the
icons 312, 322 appear dark (e.g., low reflectance) against a matte
white or grey background 315, 325. In both viewing situations,
there is high contrast between the icons 312, 322 and the
backgrounds 315, 325.
In various embodiments, as the device 300 is tilted from negative
through the normal and to positive angles, a viewer can see an
image flip between a first dark icon 312 against a first matte
white or grey background 315 and a second dark icon 322 against a
second matte white or grey background 325 (e.g., FIG. 3D). The
icons 312, 322 and the backgrounds 315, 325 are achromatic. As the
device 300 is tilted to the angle of specular reflectance, a first
shiny icon 312 against a first matte white or grey background 315
(e.g., FIG. 3C) can appear. Upon a further slight tilt, the first
shiny icon 312 against the first matte white or grey background 315
can flip to a second shiny icon 322 against a second matte white or
grey background 325 (e.g., FIG. 3C). As the device 300 is tilted
out of the angle of specular reflectance and beyond, the viewer can
once again see an image flip between the first dark icon 312
against the first matte white or grey background 315 and the second
dark icon 322 against the second matte white or grey background 325
(e.g., FIG. 3D).
Although the example embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B
illustrates a single icon 312 switching to another single icon 322,
in some embodiments, multiple icons can switch to other icons. In
FIGS. 3A and 3B, the security device 300 can include a plurality of
lenses forming an array 305 of lenses along a longitudinal axis
307.
Referring to FIG. 4A, the first segments (e.g., first segments 301
in FIGS. 3A and 3B) can correspond to portions of a first set 401a
of at least two icons 411a, 412a. The second segments 302 can
correspond to portions of a second set 402a of at least two icons
421a, 422a. The icons in each set 401a, 402a can be separated by
background. At a first viewing angle .alpha., the array 305 can be
configured to allow the first set 401a of two or more icons 411a,
412a to be viewable, e.g., in a row along an axis 407 perpendicular
to the longitudinal axis 307 of the array 305 of lenses. At a
second viewing angle .beta., different from the first viewing angle
.alpha., the array 305 of lenses can be configured to allow the
second set 402a of two or more icons 421a, 422a to be viewable,
e.g., in a row along the axis 407 perpendicular to the longitudinal
axis 307 of the array 305 of lenses. In various embodiments, one or
more of the multiple icons 411a, 412a of the first set 401a can be
different from a corresponding one of the multiple icons 421a, 422a
in the second set 402a. For example, for two icons 411a, 412a, each
icon can switch to the same or to a different icon, resulting in 4
(e.g., 2.times.2) different possible icon combinations. As another
example, for two icons 411a, 412a, each icon has the possibility to
be in one of three states, e.g., same icon, different icon, or no
icon. In such an example, there are 9 (e.g, 3.times.3) different
possible icon combinations. In the example shown in FIG. 4A, the
icons 411a, 412a at the first viewing angle .alpha. and the icons
421a, 422a at the second viewing angle .beta. are arranged in a row
along the axis 407. However, other arrangements are possible.
As another example, referring to FIG. 4B, the first segments (e.g.,
first segments 301 in FIGS. 3A and 3B) can correspond to portions
of a first set 401b of at least three icons 411b, 412b, 413b. The
second segments 302 can correspond to portions of a second set 402b
of at least three icons 421b, 422b, 423b. The icons in each set
401b, 402b can be separated by background. At a first viewing angle
.alpha., the array 305 can be configured to allow the first set
401b of three or more icons 411b, 412b, 413b to be viewable, e.g.,
in a row along an axis 407 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis
307 of the array 305 of lenses. At a second viewing angle .beta.,
different from the first viewing angle .alpha., the array 305 of
lenses can be configured to allow the second set 402b of three or
more icons 421b, 422b, 423b to be viewable, e.g., in a row along
the axis 407 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 307 of the
array 305 of lenses. In various embodiments, one or more of the
multiple icons 411b, 412b, 413b of the first set 401b can be
different from a corresponding one of the multiple icons 421b,
422b, 423b in the second set 402b. For example, for three icons
411b, 412b, 413b each icon can switch to the same or to a different
icon, resulting in 8 (e.g., 2.times.2.times.2) different possible
icon combinations. As another example, for three icons 411b, 412b,
413b each icon has the possibility to be in one of three states,
e.g., same icon, different icon, or no icon. In such an example,
there are 27 (e.g, 3.times.3.times.3) different possible icon
combinations. In the example shown in FIG. 4B, the icons 411b,
412b, 413b at the first viewing angle .alpha. and the icons 421b,
422b, 423b at the second viewing angle .beta. are arranged in a row
along the axis 407. However, other arrangements are possible.
As another example, certain implementations can include one or more
additional icons appearing and disappearing or one or more
additional icons flipping to another icon(s). For instance, some
embodiments can further comprise a plurality of additional segments
(e.g., third segments, fourth segments, etc.) disposed under the
array of lenses. The array of lenses can include the same array of
lenses as for the first icon (e.g., the same 1D or 2D lens array as
for the first icon) or a separate array of lenses (e.g., a
different 1D or 2D lens array as for the first icon). In the case
of separate lens arrays, the device can include two 1D lens arrays,
a 1D lens array and a 2D lens array, or two 2D lens arrays. The
lens arrays can be laterally or angularly displaced with respect to
one another. The lens arrays can be similar or different in width,
pitch, curvature, etc. The number of icons and/or lens arrays is
not limited.
Similar to the first segments 101 in FIG. 1A, the third segments
can correspond to portions of the additional icon and background.
At a third viewing angle, the array of lenses can present the
additional icon for viewing. At a fourth viewing angle different
from the third viewing angle, the array of lenses does not present
the additional icon for viewing. When incorporated with the example
shown in FIG. 1A, the additional icon may appear and disappear at
the same rate as the first icon 112 appears and disappears.
Alternatively, the additional icon may appear and disappear at a
faster or slower rate than the first icon 112 appears and
disappears. For example, the difference in the first and second
viewing angles .alpha., .beta. may be different than the difference
in the third and fourth viewing angles. As the angle of view
changes, one of the icons may switch between appearing and
disappearing (and/or disappearing and appearing) in more cycles
than the other icon. When incorporated with the example shown in
FIG. 3A, the additional icon may appear and disappear at the same
rate as icon 312 flips to icon 322. Alternatively, the additional
icon may appear and disappear at a faster or slower rate than icon
312 flips to icon 322. For example, the difference in the first and
second viewing angles .alpha., .beta. may be different than the
difference in the third and fourth viewing angles. In some
examples, as the angle of view changes, the additional icon may
switch between appearing and disappearing (and/or disappearing and
appearing) in more cycles than icon 312 switches to icon 322
(and/or icon 322 switches to icon 312). In some examples, as the
angle of view changes, icon 312 may switch to icon 322 (and/or icon
322 switches to icon 312) in more cycles than the additional icon
appears and disappears (and/or disappears and appears).
As another example, similar to the first and second segments 301,
302 in FIG. 3A (which allow a first icon 312 to flip to a second
icon 322), the third segments can correspond to portions of a third
icon and a third background, and the fourth segments can correspond
to portions of a fourth icon and a fourth background. At a third
viewing angle, the array of lenses can present for viewing the
third icon and the third background without presenting the fourth
icon for viewing. At a fourth viewing angle different from the
third viewing angle, the array of lenses can present for viewing
the fourth icon and the fourth background without presenting the
third icon for viewing.
When incorporated with the example shown in FIG. 3A, the third icon
may flip to the fourth icon at the same rate as icon 312 flips to
icon 322. Alternatively, the third icon may flip to the fourth icon
at a faster or slower rate than icon 312 flips to icon 322. For
example, the difference in the first and second viewing angles
.alpha., .beta. may be different than the difference in the third
and fourth viewing angles. In some examples, as the angle of view
changes, one pair of icons (e.g., the icon 312/icon 322 pair or the
third icon/fourth icon pair) may switch in more cycles than the
other pair of icons. In any of these examples, the one or more
additional icons/backgrounds can include any of the features
described herein (e.g., specular reflecting features, diffusely
reflective features, diffusely transmissive features, transparent
features, plasmonic structures, opal structures, etc.)
Furthermore, as another example, referring to FIG. 4C, the first
segments (e.g., first segments 301 in FIGS. 3A and 3B) can
correspond to portions of a first set 401c of at least four icons
411c, 412c, 413c, 414c. The second segments 302c can correspond to
portions of a second set 402c of at least four icons 421c, 422c,
423c, 424c. The icons in each set 401c, 402c can be separated by
background. At a first viewing angle .alpha., the array 305 can be
configured to allow the first set 401c of four or more icons 411c,
412c, 413c, 414c to be viewable, e.g., in a row along an axis 407
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 307 of the array 305 of
lenses. At a second viewing angle .beta., different from the first
viewing angle .alpha., the array 305 of lenses can be configured to
allow the second set 402c of four or more icons 421c, 422c, 423c,
424c to be viewable, e.g., in a row along the axis 407
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 307 of the array 305 of
lenses. In various embodiments, one or more of the multiple icons
411c, 412c, 413c, 414c of the first set 401c can be different from
a corresponding one of the multiple icons 421c, 422c, 423c, 424c in
the second set 402c. For example, for four icons 411c, 412c, 413c,
414c, each icon can switch to the same or to a different icon,
resulting in 16 (e.g., 2.times.2.times.2.times.2) different
possible icon combinations. As another example, for four icons
411c, 412c, 413c, 414c, each icon has the possibility to be in one
of three states, e.g., same icon, different icon, or no icon. In
such an example, there are 81 (e.g., 3.times.3.times.3.times.3)
different possible icon combinations. In some examples, icons can
be spaced by other icons that turn on or off at different angles.
For example, at a first viewing angle, the first and third icons
411c, 413c can be turned on, while the second and fourth icons
412c, 414c are turned off. At a second viewing angle, the first and
third icons 411c, 413c can be turned off, while the second and
fourth icons 412c, 414c are turned on. As another example, at a
first viewing angle, the first and fourth icons 411c, 414c can be
turned on, while the second and third icons 412c, 413c are turned
off. At a second viewing angle, the first and fourth icons 411c,
414c can be turned off, while the second and third icons 412c, 413c
are turned on. As another example, only the first icon 411c can be
turned on, followed by only the second icon 412c turned on,
followed by only the third icon 413c turned on, followed by only
the fourth icon 414c turned on. In the example shown in FIG. 4C,
the icons 411c, 412c, 413c, 414c at the first viewing angle .alpha.
and the icons 421c, 422c, 423c, 424c at the second viewing angle
.beta. are arranged in a row along the axis 407. However, other
arrangements are possible.
In certain embodiments, the device can provide a stereoscopic view
or a 3D effect. For example, the first and second segments can
correspond to portions of a right side and left side view of an
object or an icon or an icon and a background. In some such
embodiments, the lenses in the array of lenses (and the first and
second segments) can have a longitudinal axis disposed in the
vertical direction (e.g., cylindrical lenses with curvature in the
horizontal direction). When tilting the device about the
longitudinal axis of the lenses, the array of lenses can be
configured to present the right and left side views of the image
for a stereoscopic view of the image. As disclosed herein, the
first and second segments can include specular reflecting features
and diffusing features. In some embodiments, the specular
reflecting features define the icon and the diffusing features
define the background. In some other embodiments, the diffusing
features define the icon and the specular reflecting features
define the background. In various embodiments, the first and second
segments can correspond to portions of at least three images (e.g.,
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, etc.). An image of an icon or object from a
different perspective and angle can provide these multiple views.
In some such embodiments, when the device is tilted about the
longitudinal axis of the lenses, the viewer can observe around the
icon in the image.
For additional security, various embodiments of features described
herein can be combined together and/or with other features known in
the art or yet to be developed. For example, certain embodiments
can further comprise another optical element (e.g., a holographic
element, a diffractive element, or a non-holographic and
non-diffractive element). The additional optical element can be
disposed under the array 105, 305 of lenses (within or outside of
the first 101, 301 and/or second 102, 302 segments) or outside of
the array 105, 305 of lenses. As another example, various
embodiments can include one or more micro-structural lenses (e.g.,
Fresnel lens or a diamond turned element). The micro-structural
lenses can be overprinted in some cases. Furthermore, as yet
another example, some embodiments can include optically variable
ink and/or interference features in thin films.
FIG. 5A schematically illustrates certain features of an example
security device 500 in accordance with certain embodiments
described herein. Like the other embodiments described herein, the
security device 500 can include specular reflecting features 132,
332, 342 and diffusing (e.g., diffusely reflective) features 135,
335, 345 (or transparent features or diffusely transmissive
features as described herein) under an array 105, 305 of lenses
(shown collectively as 501). As shown in FIG. 5A, some embodiments
can include a metallized coating 502 with a portion 503 without
metallization (e.g., either demetallized or selectively metallized
or ablated) to form at least one border, an alphanumeric character,
a symbol, an image, or an object. As described herein, the device
500 can be coupled (e.g., with a transmissive adhesive and an index
mismatched material such as a high refractive index material) on
the backside to an underlying product (e.g., a banknote). In some
embodiments, the portion 503 without metallization may allow
printing, graphics, a photograph, etc. from the underlying product
to be viewed. In some embodiments, the portion 503 without
metallization may be coupled to a window in the underlying product
such that the outline of the portion 503 can be viewed in
transmission. In some embodiments, the window can include a
transmissive layer (e.g., a transmissive coating) for protection.
Light can also pass through, e.g., a diffusely transmissive region
to make the region visible. In some instances, the metallized
coating 502 can include aluminum, silver, gold, copper, titanium,
zinc, tin, or alloys thereof (e.g., bronze). The portion 503
without metallization can be outside or within the array of lenses
501. In various embodiments, the array of lenses can also extend
over the metallized region 502 and the region 503 without
metallization. Reflective features, such as decorative features,
may be formed however by the index mismatched material such as high
refractive index material or reflective interference coating(s)
that provide some level of reflectivity in addition to some level
of optical transmission.
In some embodiments including a metallized region 502, the device
can be incorporated into a security thread laid across a whole
sheet of banknotes. When cutting the sheets into individual
banknotes, the metallized region 502 of the security thread may be
at a location that will be cut. Cutting the banknotes along a
metallized region can thus cause the banknote to be susceptible to
corrosion attack. For example, oxidation can occur or a ragged edge
can be created near the cut in the metallized region. To help
prevent these susceptible regions, regions without metallization in
areas of the thread to be cut and/or a protective coating can be
applied in some embodiments to help protect the edge of the
metallization (e.g., to protect the edge from
delamination/demetallization, solvent attack, and/or chemical
attack). For example, FIG. 5B-1 schematically illustrates a top
view of a security thread. The security thread 520 includes a
metallized area 522 (e.g., from a metallized layer on the bottom
surface, but viewable from the top surface). A region without
metallization 524 (e.g., by demetallization or selectively
metallization or laser ablation) can be created at the area of the
security thread 520 where the banknote is to be cut 526. FIG. 5B-2
schematically illustrates a side view of this security thread 520
shown in FIG. 5B-1. FIG. 5B-2 shows an array 521 of lenses disposed
on a substrate 527. As shown in FIGS. 5B-1 and 5B-2, the metallized
area 522 (e.g., an aluminum layer) on the bottom side of the
substrate 527 does not extend to the edge of the banknote (e.g.,
either by demetallization or selective metallization or laser
ablation) where the thread is to be cut. A protective layer 530
(e.g., a protective organic coating) can also be applied on the
bottom surface covering the metallized area 522 and the
unmetallized regions 524 to strengthen the edge of the banknote
where the metallized area 522 would otherwise have been cut.
FIG. 5C schematically illustrates certain features of an example
security device 550 in accordance with certain embodiments
described herein. Like the other embodiments described herein, the
security device can include an array of lenses, and a plurality of
first and second segments disposed under the array of lenses. The
first segments can correspond to portions of a first icon and a
first background. The second segments can correspond to portions of
a second icon and a second background. At a first viewing angle
.alpha., the array of lenses can be configured to allow the first
icon and the first background to be viewable without allowing the
second icon to be viewable. At a second viewing angle .beta.
different from the first viewing angle, the array of lenses can be
configured to allow the second icon and the second background to be
viewable without allowing the first icon to be viewable. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 5C, the first segments can include a first
surface texture 551 defining the first icon. The second segments
can include a second surface texture 552 defining the second icon.
The second surface texture 552 can have a surface texture different
from the first surface texture 551. The first and second segments
can further include a third surface texture 553 defining the first
and second backgrounds respectfully. The third surface texture 553
can be different from the first 551 and second 552 surface
textures. For example, the first surface texture 551 can include a
moth eye texture (e.g., texture producing dark reflectance). The
second surface texture 552 can include an interference grating. The
third surface texture 553 can include a diffusing texture as
described herein. In some such embodiments, the relatively high
contrast between diffusing texture and a moth eye texture or an
interference grating can present for viewing a sharp image.
As another example, the first surface texture 551 can include a
moth eye texture, while the second surface texture 552 can include
specular reflecting features 132, 332, 342 as described herein. The
third surface texture 553 can include a diffusing texture as
described herein. As yet another example, the first surface texture
551 can include the specular reflecting features 132, 332, 342 as
disclosed herein, while the second surface texture 552 can include
an interference grating. The third surface texture 553 can include
a diffusing texture as described herein. In some embodiments, the
first 551 and second 552 surface textures can be in contact with
each other. In additional embodiments, the first 551 and second 552
surface textures might not be in contact with each other.
FIG. 6A shows the relative brightness (relative intensity units) as
a function of distance (e.g., 150 data points over 5 mm) of a line
scan across an icon in an example security device in accordance
with certain embodiments described herein. The icon is represented
by the number "1". When viewing the example device at an angle in
the specular direction, a shiny icon such as one having a bright
aluminum color against a matte white or grey background (or
potentially colored by tint, dye, ink, pigment, or other absorptive
material) can be viewed. As shown in trace 602, the relative
brightness increases and decreases as the scan passes through the
shiny icon. When viewing the example device at an angle not in the
specular direction, a dark or black icon against a matte white or
grey background can be viewed. As shown in trace 604, the relative
brightness decreases and increases as the scan passes through the
dark icon. The contrast between the icon and the background can be
characterized as the height of the deviation from the background.
In this example, the contrast is similar (e.g., the brightness is
almost equal to the darkness such as between 120 and 125 relative
intensity units) for both viewing conditions. In various
embodiments, the contrast can be similar for both viewing
conditions by .+-.5%, .+-.7%, or .+-.10%.
As described herein, one way to characterize the line definition
(e.g., border) can be by the differential (e.g., derivative or
slope) across the boundary. For example, relatively high contrast
and a sharp border can have a high and/or narrow differential
trace, while relatively low contrast and not so sharp border can
have a low and/or wide differential trace. FIGS. 6B-1, 6B-2, 6B-3,
and 6B-4 show the relatively high contrast and sharpness of the
edges of the icons presented in certain embodiments of devices
described herein. For example, FIGS. 6B-1 and 6B-2 show relatively
narrow differential traces for the line definition of the shiny "1"
icon and dark "1` icon respectively. FIGS. 6B-3 and 6B-4 show
relatively narrow differential traces for the line definition of
the shiny "U" icon and dark "U` icon respectively.
Table 1 shows the security effect from the human eye perspective of
an example security device in accordance with certain embodiments
described herein. As the example security device was tilted under
an LED (with a diffuser), the presented icon was noted at each
angle as well as the contrast of it relative to the diffuse
background. The icon either appeared shiny (aluminum color) or
appeared black against a matte white background. The angle of the
device was determined by viewing a magnetically attached protractor
having a needle pointed to the angle of the tilt. The results are
shown schematically in Figure. 7. For example, FIG. 7 schematically
illustrates the change in brightness of the two icons switching for
various angles of tilt in the example device used in Table 1. In
this example, the icons switched at tilt angles less than 15
degrees. The minimum tilt angle was 5 to 6 degrees with an average
of 9 degrees. The icon appeared shiny against a black background
for most of the angles measured due to the diffuser at the exit of
the LED.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Angle Delta angle Icon Contrast -44 B Silver
-33 11 A Black -27 6 B Black -19 8 B Silver -9 10 A Silver 3 12 B
Silver 8.5 5.5 A Silver 17 8.5 B Silver 27 10 A Black
FIG. 7 also schematically illustrates certain effects that can be
presented by an optical device. In some examples, as the angle of
tilt (or angle of view) such as along a horizontal or vertical axis
changes, the icons can switch from an icon appearing dark (e.g.,
black A) against a matte white or grey background to another icon
appearing bright (e.g., shiny B) against a matte white or grey
background, or vice versa. In some examples, as the angle of tilt
changes, the icons can switch from an icon appearing bright (e.g.,
shiny B) against a matte white or grey background to another icon
appearing bright (e.g., shiny A) against a matte white or grey
background. In some examples, as the angle of tilt changes, the
icons can switch from an icon appearing dark (e.g., black B)
against a matte white or grey background to another icon appearing
dark (e.g., black A) against a matte white or grey background. The
combinations of appearances may be independent on the type of
lighting conditions, e.g., depending on the angle the light shines
into the viewer's eye. The angles in which the icons can be viewed
can be determined at the time of manufacturing (e.g., based on the
geometry of the lens array(s), features defining the icons, etc.).
In some instances, any or all of the combinations can be viewed
under a combination of a point light source and a diffuse light
source (e.g., a combination of office light and light coming
through a window). In some instances, any or all of the
combinations can be viewed under a point light source. In some
instances, any or all of the combinations can be viewed under
diffuse light conditions (e.g., a cloudy day). As illustrated in
the example shown in FIG. 7, the switching between icons is not
necessarily symmetrical (e.g., the angles with respect to the tilt
axis are not necessarily the same). In some implementations, the
switching between icons may be symmetrical.
FIG. 8A shows an example icon switching from one art object shown
in the left photograph to a different art object shown in the right
photograph in a device according to certain embodiments disclosed
herein. In this example, the two icons are of two different
rendered images (e.g., like engravings) or art images. On the left
is one image before the tilt, and the other image appears upon
tilting the device. The same bright images against a diffuse
background as well as dark icons against a diffuse background are
seen as the observer tilts the device back and forth relative to
his/her view.
This example embodiment was created utilizing half-tone patterning,
e.g., as shown in FIG. 8B. In various embodiments, the amount of
specular reflecting features can be varied by half-tone patterning
and/or screening in the first segment and/or the second segment to
control the brightness (or the darkness, e.g., greyness) of an
image. For example, the brightness (or darkness, e.g. greyness) as
perceived by a viewer of an area can be modulated by the ratio of
specular reflecting features to diffusing features. For example,
the brightness (or darkness, e.g. greyness) as perceived by a
viewer of an area within a segment can be modulated by the ratio of
the area (e.g., area of the footprint) of specular reflecting
features to the area (e.g., area of the footprint) of the diffusing
features. The size, number, and/or distribution of the specular
reflecting features relative to the size, number, and/or
distribution of the diffuse reflecting features in an area within a
segment can likewise be configured to provide the level of
brightness, darkness, (e.g., greyness). As discussed above,
pigment, inks, or other absorptive material can be used to provide
color, in which case the relative areas, size, number, and/or
distribution of the specular reflecting features relative to that
of the diffuse reflecting features would control the perceived
brightness or darkness of the hue or color. The shape of the
specular reflecting features and diffusing features, for example,
the area (e.g., area of the footprint) may be square, rectangular,
hexagonal, circular, or a wide variety of other shapes. Similarly
the specular reflecting features and diffusing features may be
packed together in a wide variety of arrangements, e.g., in a
square array, triangular array, hexagonally closed packed, or in
other arrangements. In FIG. 8B, the black regions can represent
regions of diffusing features (or the specular reflecting
features), while the white regions can represent the specular
reflecting features (or the diffusing features). An un-aided eye
typically cannot discern the image as a half-tone image if the
half-tone features are less than around 75 microns. Accordingly, in
various embodiments, a minimum half-tone feature in the half-tone
patterning can be less than or equal to 75 microns (e.g., less than
or equal to 65 microns, less than or equal to 50 microns, less than
or equal to 30 microns, less than or equal to 10 microns, etc.)
and/or be in a range from 0.05 micron to 75 microns (e.g., 0.05
micron to 65 microns, 0.05 micron to 50 microns, 0.05 micron to 30
microns, 0.05 micron to 10 microns, 1 micron to 75 microns, 1
micron to 50 microns, etc.), in any range within this range, any
values within these ranges, or in any ranges formed by such values.
FIG. 8C schematically illustrates an example device utilizing
half-tone patterning in accordance with certain embodiments
described herein. The example device can be configured to present
images such as those in FIG. 8A.
As described herein, the half-tone patterning shown in FIG. 8B can
be used to render the two icons shown in FIG. 8A. The half-tone
patterning was prepared by embossing the features (e.g., specular
reflecting features 132, 332, 342 and diffusely reflective features
135, 335, 345) into a coating on substrate 150, UV curing the
embossed coating, and metallizing the features. As also described
herein, various embodiments using half-tone patterning can include
transmissive structures (e.g., transparent features and/or
diffusely transmissive features) instead of or in combination with
reflective structures (e.g., specular reflecting features and/or
diffusely reflective features). As described herein, transmissive
structures can be prepared by removing regions of metallization by
selective demetallization or laser ablation.
In certain embodiments, laser ablation can also be used to create
one or more segments 101, 102, 301, 302 that define one or more
images (e.g., one or more icons and backgrounds). FIGS. 9A-1 and
9A-2 schematically illustrate an example embodiment created using
laser ablation. In FIG. 9A-1, the device 800 includes an array 805
of lenses disposed on a first side 851 of a substrate or carrier
850. An absorbing layer 860 such as an absorbing thin film (e.g.,
an absorbing material or a metal including any metal described
herein) can be disposed on the second side 852 of the substrate
150. In various embodiments, the layer 860 can be formed into the
segments such as a plurality of first 801, second 802, and third
segments 803 in this example (shown only under one of the lenses
for simplicity), that define one or more icons and backgrounds. In
some embodiments, a laser 810 can be used to irradiate light on the
absorbing layer 860 to remove portions of the absorbing layer 860
based on properties of the laser (e.g., intensity, wavelength,
etc.) and/or the absorbing layer 860 (e.g., absorptive properties
such as absorption wavelength, etc.). In FIG. 9A-1, the laser 810
uses the array 805 of lenses to focus light on the layer 860 to
remove material in segment 802. One benefit of this technique
includes registration of the array 805 of lenses with the segments
801, 802, 803. In some embodiments, the laser 810 may raster back
and forth across the array 805 of lenses to create the plurality of
segments under each of the lenses. In some embodiments, the layer
860 may be laser ablated prior to coupling with the array 805 of
lenses and/or substrate 850.
As illustrated in FIG. 9A-2, in some embodiments, a mask 815 may be
used to cover portions of the absorbing layer 860 when creating the
segments. In FIG. 9A-2, segment 802 is shown with ablated areas 832
and unablated areas 835. In this example, the ablated areas 832 may
define the icon, and the unablated areas 835 may define the
background of an image. In various embodiments, use of a laser 810
can produce relatively sharp borders between the icon and
background.
With continued reference to FIG. 9A-2, the ablated areas 832 can be
transparent regions configured to transmit light from the side of
the absorbing layer 860 opposite the array 805 of lenses. The
unablated areas 835 can be non-transparent regions configured to
absorb and/or reflect light (e.g., based at least in part on the
properties of the unablated material).
In some embodiments, the unablated areas 835 can be configured to
absorb visible light, and the background can appear dark (e.g.,
black). For example, the layer 860 may be an absorbing material
such as a colored layer. In some embodiments, the unablated areas
835 can be configured to reflect light, and the background can
appear shiny (e.g., when viewing in the specular direction) or dark
(e.g., black when viewed off the specular direction). For example,
the layer 860 may be a metal.
FIG. 9A-3 schematically illustrates an example of a second layer
865 coupled to an ablated area 832 of an example device. The second
layer 865 can be disposed on the side of the ablatable layer 860
opposite the array 805 of lenses shown in FIG. 9A-1. The second
layer 865 can be the underlying product (e.g., a banknote) or can
be coupled to the underlying product. In some embodiments, the
second layer 865 may include a window (not shown) adjacent the
ablated areas 832 such that the icon can be viewed in transmission
against the black or shiny appearance of the adjacent background.
The window can include a transparent or transmissive layer (e.g., a
transmissive coating) for protection and/or to reduce chances of
duplication. In some embodiments, the second layer 865 can provide
a relatively high contrasting color (e.g., a colored layer such as
a colored coating) or white appearance (e.g., a white layer such as
a flat white coating or a diffuse white coating) in the ablated
areas 832 to define the icon against the black or shiny appearance
of the adjacent background. In some embodiments, the second layer
865 can include a contrasting metal. For example, a copper coating
for the second layer 865 can provide an icon that is copper in
color against an adjacent background that is aluminum in color. As
another example, a copper coating for the second layer 865 can
provide an icon that is copper in color against an adjacent dark
background from an absorbing coating (e.g., a single layer of metal
such as titanium or multiple layers of material such as titanium
and silicon). Other examples of materials for the second layer 865
include but are not limited to an optically variable coating (e.g.,
a transparent optically variable coating such as a dichroic
coating), a non-transmissive reflective Fabry-Perot coating (e.g.,
absorber/dielectric/reflector metal), a dye (e.g., a transparent
dye, a fluorescent dye, etc.), a pigment, etc. Although various
embodiments described herein can include an absorbing layer 860
(e.g., an absorbing or reflective material) that can appear shiny
(e.g., when viewing in the specular direction) or dark (e.g., when
viewed off the specular direction) for the remaining unablated
areas, other materials can be used. For example, the layer 860 can
be provided with a material that appears white (e.g., a diffusing
material such as provided by a kinoform diffuser) or colored. In
some such embodiments, the ablated areas 832 can be provided with a
layer that contrasts with the remaining unablated layer 860.
Although the ablated areas 832 are described as defining the icon
and the unablated areas 835 are described as defining the
background, in some embodiments, the unablated areas 835 can define
the icon and the ablated areas 832 can define the background.
In some embodiments, instead of ablating an absorbing layer 860 to
form segments 801, 802, 803 on the backplane of the substrate 850,
laser ablation can be used to create a printing plate (e.g., a
nano-printing plate). For example, the printing plate can use inks
(e.g., pigments or nano-inks such as nano-sized carbon in a polymer
layer) to print one or more images on other backplanes of an array
805 of lenses and/or substrates 850.
FIG. 9A-4 schematically illustrates an example device showing
possible angles of observation. The example device 800 can include
a first 801 plurality of segments, a second 802 plurality of
segments, and a third 803 plurality of segments. The first 801
plurality of segments can define a first icon and background. The
second 802 plurality of segments can define a second icon and
background. The third 803 plurality of segments can define a third
icon and background. The icons can be similar to each other or
different from each other (e.g., same object, but in different
positions, orientations, renderings, etc.). Any number of segments
and/or icons can be provided. Some of the segments may define no
icon. The device 800 can include any feature of any of the examples
described herein and can operate similar to any of the examples
provided herein (e.g., FIGS. 1A-8C). For example, at a first angle
of observation (e.g., angle 1), the icon and background defined by
the third 803 plurality of segments can be viewable. At the second
angle of observation (e.g., angle 2), the icon and background
defined by the second 802 plurality of segments can be viewable.
The icon and background defined by the first 801 plurality of
segments can be viewable at a third angle of observation (e.g.,
angle 3 not shown).
FIG. 9B schematically illustrates certain images and effects that
can be presented for viewing by a security device in accordance
with certain embodiments described herein. As disclosed herein,
shape and/or size of the first background and second background can
be the same or different from each other. FIG. 9B shows the first
background 915 having a shape 915b different than the shape 925b of
the second background 925. This concept can be extended for any
number of levels of icons within icons. For example the shaped
background 915, 925 can be considered in this case another shaped
icon, albeit with the same or different surface texture. FIG. 9B
shows an icon 912 within an icon 915 that switches to a different
icon 922 within an icon 925.
As described herein, various embodiments can switch between an
achromatic image appearing and disappearing or between a first
achromatic image to a second different achromatic image. The
achromatic image(s) can include features (e.g., specular reflecting
and/or diffusing) that provide no diffractive or interference
color. As also described herein, in some embodiments, the image(s)
can include color via a tint, ink, dye, or pigment in one or more
of the portions comprising specular reflective features, portions
comprising diffusing features, lenses in the lens array, and/or
substrate.
In some embodiments, color can be provided in an image (e.g., in an
icon or background) by one or more color generating structures,
such as microstructure and/or nanostructure configured to provide
color. For example, FIG. 10A schematically illustrates an example
color generating structure including a plasmonic structure 1000.
The plasmonic structure 1000 can include a plurality of
microfeatures and/or nanofeatures. For simplicity, the plasmonic
structure 1000 will be described as having nanofeatures. In various
embodiments, the plasmonic structure 1000 can include microfeatures
and/or a combination of microfeatures and nanofeatures.
With reference to FIG. 10A, the plasmonic structure 1000 can
include a first metal nanofeature 1002, a second metal nanofeature
1003, and a dielectric nanofeature 1004 therebetween. The first
metal nanofeature 1002 and the second metal nanofeature 1003 can be
made of any reflective metal, such as silver, aluminum, gold,
copper, tin, combinations thereof, etc. In various embodiments, the
first metal nanofeature 1002 and the second metal nanofeature 1003
can be made of the same reflective metal. The dielectric
nanofeature 1004 can be made of a dielectric material. In some
embodiments, the dielectric material can be a UV curable resin.
Other materials are possible. As shown in FIG. 10A, the dielectric
nanofeature 1004 can have a depth D, a width W, and a periodicity
(e.g., pitch) P with other dielectric nanofeatures 1004. The first
metal nanofeature 1002 and/or the second metal nanofeature 1003 can
also have a depth, a width, and a periodicity.
Without being bound by theory, in various embodiments, light having
a certain wavelength can be funneled into one or more of the first
metal nanofeature 1002, the second metal nanofeature 1003, and/or
the dielectric nanofeature 1004 via plasmonic resonance. For
example, in some embodiments, the wavelength that is funneled can
be based at least in part on one or more of the dielectric
nanofeature's 1004 depth D, width W, and/or periodicity P with
other dielectric nanofeatures 1004. For example, the D can be in
the range of 50 nm to 300 nm, 50 nm to 275 nm, 50 nm to 250 nm, 50
nm to 200 nm, 75 nm to 300 nm, 75 nm to 250 nm, 75 nm to 200 nm,
100 nm to 300 nm, 100 nm to 250 nm, 100 nm to 200 nm, in any ranges
formed by any of these ranges, in any ranges within these ranges,
any values within these ranges, or in any ranges formed by such
values. As another example, the P can be in the range of 50 nm to
400 nm, 50 nm to 375 nm, 50 nm to 350 nm, 50 nm to 300 nm, 75 nm to
400 nm, 75 nm to 350 nm, 100 nm to 300 nm, in any ranges formed by
any of these ranges, in any ranges within these ranges, any values
within these ranges, or in any ranges formed by such values. As
another example, the W can be in the range of 10 nm to 200 nm, 10
nm to 175 nm, 10 nm to 150 nm, 10 nm to 100 nm, 20 nm to 200 nm, 20
nm to 150 nm, 20 nm to 100 nm, 30 nm to 200 nm, 30 nm to 150 nm, 30
nm to 100 nm, 40 nm to 200 nm, 40 nm to 150 nm, 40 nm to 100 nm, in
any ranges formed by any of these ranges, in any ranges within
these ranges, any values within these ranges, or in any ranges
formed by such values. In certain embodiments, the D, W, and/or P
can be selected to produce the desired color or colors. In some
embodiments, the wavelength that is funneled can be based at least
in part on one or more of the first 1002 or second 1003 metal
nanofeature's depth, width, and/or periodicity. In some examples,
the plasmonic structure 1000 can include a patterned structure such
that the patterning can produce the desired color or colors. In
various embodiments, the produced color can be independent of
viewing angle.
In some embodiments, the plasmonic structure 1000 can operate as a
reflective plasmonic structure. Without subscribing to any
scientific theory, incident light can be reflected in some
embodiments as filtered light, e.g., after absorption of the
resonance wavelength. In some embodiments, the plasmonic structure
1000 can include a reflective nanofeature 1005 (or microfeature),
for example, disposed over the dielectric nanofeature 1004. The
reflective nanofeature 1005 can include a reflective metal as
described for the first metal nanofeature 1002 and/or the second
metal nanofeature 1003. In some such examples, the plasmonic
structure 1000 can be configured to reflect the filtered light.
In some embodiments, the first metal nanofeature 1002, the second
metal nanofeature 1003, and the reflective nanofeature 1005 can be
provided by a unitary structure. In some such examples, the unitary
structure can be provided by a coating, e.g., a coating over and
between a plurality of dielectric nanofeatures 1004. In some
instances, the coating can be a conformal coating. As another
example, the unitary structure can be provided by a monolithic
block of metallic material that is formed into the first metal
nanofeature 1002, the second metal nanofeature 1003, and the
reflective nanofeature 1005. In some other embodiments, the first
metal nanofeature 1002, the second metal nanofeature 1003, and the
reflective nanofeature 1005 can be provided by separate pieces.
In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 10B, the plasmonic structure
1000 can operate as a transmissive plasmonic structure. Without
subscribing to any scientific theory, incident light can be
reflected and/or transmitted, e.g., after absorption of the
resonance wavelength. In some embodiments, the plasmonic structure
1000 may not include the reflective nanofeature 1005 over the
dielectric nanofeature 1004. In some such examples, the plasmonic
structure 1000 can be configured to transmit some of the filtered
light. In some of these examples, the plasmonic structure 1000 can
filter light in two directions. Some such embodiments can function
as a dichroic plasmonic structure where the reflected light and the
transmitted light may produce two different colors.
FIG. 11 schematically illustrates an example color generating
structure (e.g., a microstructure and/or a nanostructure configured
to provide color) including an opal structure. In some embodiments,
the opal structure can include a reverse (or inverse) opal
structure 1100 as shown in FIG. 11. For simplicity, the reverse
opal structure 1100 will be described. However, in some
embodiments, the opal structure can include a positive opal
structure and/or a combination of a reverse and positive opal
structure. With reference to FIG. 11, the reverse opal structure
1100 can include one or more microsurface or nanosurface relief
portions 1101. For simplicity, the reverse opal structure 1100 will
be described as having microsurface relief. In various embodiments,
the opal structure 1100 can include nanosurface relief and/or a
combination of microsurface and nanosurface relief. The
microsurface relief portion 1101 can have a depth D, a width W, and
a center-to-center distance and/or periodicity (e.g., pitch) P with
other microsurface relief portions 1101. In some embodiments, the
microsurface relief portion 1101 can be a hemisphere (or close to a
hemisphere) such that 2D is substantially equal to W. However, in
some embodiments, the portion of the microsurface relief might not
be a hemisphere such that 2D is greater than or less than W. For
example, the micro surface relief portions 1101 may be
hemi-ellipsoidal or some other shape. Some embodiments can include
a plurality of microsurface relief portions 1101, e.g.,
microsurface relief portions 1101 arranged in a 2D array.
Additionally, although FIG. 11 shows a plurality of microsurface
relief portions 1101 appearing to be without spacing in between the
microsurface relief portions 1101, various embodiments can have
spacing in between the microsurface relief portions 1101 such that
P is greater than W.
In some embodiments, the reverse opal structure 1100 can be made of
a dielectric material. For example, the reverse opal structure 1100
can be made of a UV curable resin. In various embodiments, the
reverse opal structure 1100 can comprise a patterned microsurface
relief.
Without being bound by theory, in some embodiments, the periodicity
P can create a photonic bandgap, where transmission of incident
light having a wavelength corresponding to the photonic bandgap is
forbidden. In various embodiments, the reverse opal structure 1100
can operate as a reflective opal structure. For example, the
reverse opal structure 1100 can include an opaque reflective
coating on the surface of the microsurface relief portion 1101.
Some example coatings can include any opaque reflective metal such
as aluminum, silver, gold, copper, tin, combinations thereof, etc.
Other examples are possible. In some such embodiments, the reverse
opal structure 1100 can be configured to reflect the filtered
light.
In some embodiments, the reverse opal structure 1100 can operate as
a transmissive opal structure. For example, the reverse opal
structure 1100 can include a transparent coating on the surface of
the microsurface relief portion 1101. Example coatings can include
a dielectric material having a relatively high index of refraction,
e.g., greater than or equal to 1.8, greater than or equal to 1.9,
greater than or equal to 2.0, greater than or equal to 1.8 and less
than 2.5, greater than or equal to 1.8 and less than 2.75, greater
than or equal to 1.8 and less than 3.0, etc. Some such examples can
include zinc sulfide, titanium dioxide, indium tin oxide,
combinations thereof, etc. Other examples are possible. In some
such embodiments, the reverse opal structure 1100 can be configured
to reflect and/or transmit the filtered light. In various
embodiments, the reverse opal structure 1100 can include both
reflective and transparent coatings and/or partially
reflective/partially transmissive coatings. In some instances, the
reverse opal structure 1100 can include a patterned metal coated
with dielectric material.
Without being bound by theory, in some embodiments, the color of
the filtered light can also be created by diffraction and/or Bragg
diffraction and can also be based at least in part on one or more
of the microsurface relief portion's depth D, width W, and/or
periodicity P. For example, the D can be in the range of 0.3
microns to 0.7 microns, 0.3 microns to 0.65 microns, 0.35 microns
to 0.7 microns, 0.35 microns to 0.65 microns, 0.03 microns to 0.6
microns, 0.35 microns to 0.6 microns, 0.4 microns to 0.6 microns,
in any ranges formed by any of these ranges, in any ranges within
these ranges, any values within these ranges, or in any ranges
formed by such values. As another example, the W can be in the
range of 0.5 microns to 2 microns, 0.5 microns to 1.5 microns, 0.5
microns to 1 microns, in any ranges formed by any of these ranges,
in any ranges within these ranges, any values within these ranges,
or in any ranges formed by such values. As another example, the P
can be in the range of 0.1 microns to 0.6 microns, 0.2 microns to
0.5 microns, 0.25 microns to 0.45 microns, in any ranges formed by
any of these ranges, in any ranges within these ranges, any values
within these ranges, or in any ranges formed by such values. In
certain embodiments, the D, W, and/or P can be selected to produce
the desired color or colors. In some examples, the opal structure
1100 can include a patterned structure such that the patterning can
produce the desired color or colors. In various embodiments, the
produced color can be dependent on the viewing angle.
The opal structure (reverse, positive, or combination thereof) can
include a plurality of aligned and/or repeating microsurface and/or
nanosurface relief portions 1101. In some instances, for an
additional security feature, the opal structure can include a
misalignment and/or an irregularity to provide a forensic signature
(e.g., an identifying mark). For example, the microsurface and/or
nanosurface relief portions 1101 can be misaligned. As another
example, the plurality of relief portions can include a differently
sized or shaped relief portion 1101, a missing relief portion 1101,
and/or other defect. In some embodiments, the misalignment and/or
irregularity in the opal structure itself may not be viewable with
the unaided eye, but can be viewable with an additional aid such as
a white light interferometer, an atomic force microscope, a
scanning electron microscope, etc. As another example, the
misalignment and/or irregularity can be incorporated into a
micro-image (e.g., an alphanumeric character, symbol, an art image,
graphic, or an object) such that a misalignment and/or irregularity
is presented in the micro-image (e.g., a crooked line, a speck of
blue in orange text, etc.). In some such embodiments, the
misalignment and/or irregularity in the micro-image may not be
viewable with the unaided eye, but can be viewable with an
additional aid such as a magnifying glass or microscope, etc. In
some embodiments, the misalignment and/or irregularity in the
micro-image may be viewable with the unaided/naked eye.
Various embodiments can include one or more color generating
structures (e.g., microstructure and/or nanostructure configured to
provide one or more colors such as a plasmonic structure, a reverse
opal, a positive opal, and/or combinations thereof) under an array
of lenses as described herein. For example, some embodiments
including one or more color generating structures can be disposed
under an array of 1D lenses as described herein. As another
example, some embodiments including one or more color generating
structures can be disposed under an array of 2D lenses as described
herein. For example, any of the examples described herein (e.g.,
FIGS. 1A to 9B) can include one or more color generating structures
to provide one or more colors. Also, any of the examples described
herein (e.g., FIGS. 1A to 9B) can substitute one or more features
(e.g., specular reflecting, transparent, diffusely reflective,
and/or diffusely transmissive features) with one or more color
generating structures. One or more color generating structures can
be added such that color is above eye resolution (e.g., at least
100 microns or more) and viewable with the naked eye. Some such
embodiments can also provide a security feature of an identifying
mark (e.g., a colored dot, a colored mark, color in at least a
portion of a graphic, color in at least a portion of text, etc.).
Alternatively, as an additional security feature, one or more color
generating structures can be added such that the color is below eye
resolution (e.g., less than 100 microns) and not viewable with the
naked eye, but viewable with the aid of, e.g., a magnifying glass
or microscope.
As an example, with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, one or more color
generating structures (e.g., 1000 or 1100 shown in FIGS. 10A, 10B,
and 11) can be incorporated into a first segment 101a, 101b, 101c,
and/or 101d to provide a color for the view 110 of the icon 112
(e.g., to at least a portion of the icon 112 and/or background
115). Additionally or alternatively, one or more color generating
structures can be incorporated into a second segment 102a, 102b,
102c, and/or 102d to provide color to the view 120 without the icon
112. One or more color generating structures can be incorporated
into the specular reflecting features 132 and/or diffusing features
135 of the first segments 101 and/or into the diffusing features
145 of the second segments 102. In some embodiments, one or more
color generating structures can be substituted for the specular
reflecting features 132 and/or the diffusing features 135 in the
first segments 101 and/or for the diffusing features 145 of the
second segments 102.
As another example, with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, one or more
color generating structures can be incorporated into a first
segment 301a, 301b, 301c, and/or 301d to provide a color for the
first image 310 (e.g., to at least a portion of the icon 312 and/or
background 315). Additionally or alternatively, one or more color
generating structures can be incorporated into a second segment
302a, 302b, 302c, and/or 302d to provide color to the second image
320 (e.g., to at least a portion of the icon 322 and/or background
325). One or more color generating structures can be incorporated
into the specular reflecting features 332 and/or diffusing features
335 of the first segments 301 and/or into the specular reflecting
features 342 and/or diffusing features 345 of the second segments
302. In some embodiments, one or more color generating structures
can be substituted for the specular reflecting features 332 and/or
the diffusing features 335 in the first segments 301 and/or for the
specular reflecting features 342 and/or diffusing features 345 of
the second segments 302.
As another example, with reference to FIG. 5C, one or more color
generating structures can be incorporated into or substituted for
the first surface texture 551, the second surface texture 552,
and/or the third surface texture 553 to provide a color to at least
a portion of the icon and/or background of the security device
550.
As another example, with reference to FIG. 8A, one or more color
generating structures can be incorporated into one or more
engraving like images. One or more color generating structures can
be incorporated into a region disposed under the array of lenses.
For example, when incorporated into a region disposed under the
array of lenses, color can be incorporated into at least a part of
one of the switching icons or backgrounds. With reference to FIGS.
8B and 8C, one or more color generating structures can be
incorporated into or substituted for some or all of the half-tone
features (e.g., specular reflecting and/or diffuse features). In
some embodiments, one or more color generating structures can be
incorporated into a region other than those disposed under the
lenses. For example, when incorporated into a region other than
those disposed under the lenses, color can be incorporated outside
of the switching icons or backgrounds.
In various embodiments, achromatic images (e.g., black, white,
greys, etc.) can be provided by specular reflecting and diffusing
features. In some embodiments, one or more color generating
structures can be configured to provide different colors in the
image(s) viewed by the viewer. For example, the color generating
structures can provide the primary colors and/or secondary colors
(e.g., red, green, blue or cyan, yellow, and magenta). In some
embodiments, the different colors may combine to produce a
different color or a single color as perceived by the naked eye.
For example, the primary colors may in some instances combine to
form secondary colors. The primary colors may in some instances
also combine to form an achromatic appearance. For example, red,
green, and blue or cyan, yellow, and magenta may combine to form an
achromatic white appearance. By incorporation of color generating
structures with specular reflecting and diffusing features, a sharp
full color image and/or a natural tone image can be presented. Some
embodiments can be configured to provide the true color of an
object. For example, some embodiments can be configured to provide
a rendition of an object's natural color, e.g., through an icon or
image. In some instances, the icon or image can include a range of
hues, such as more than 5 hues, more than 10 hues, more than 15
hues, more than 20 hues, or any ranges formed by such values,
etc.
FIG. 12 schematically illustrates an example method of forming
various color generating structures described herein. The method
1200 can be similar to and/or compatible with the embossing method
used to form various features (e.g., diffusing and/or specular
reflecting features) as described herein. For example, the method
1200 can include forming an embossing tool 1201 such as one
comprising a metal 1202 such as steel or aluminum. A master shim
1203 can be formed using an electron beam, lithographic technique,
or etching. Daughter shims can be created from the master shim
1203. In some embodiments, the master shim 1203 can be formed in
nickel, which can be attached to the metal 1202. Since the method
1200 can be similar to and/or compatible with the embossing method
used to form various features (e.g., diffusing and/or specular
reflecting features) described herein, FIG. 12 illustrates various
features (e.g., diffusing features 1210a, 1210b and/or specular
reflecting features 1211a, 1211b) and color generating structures
1212 (e.g., a plasmonic structure, a positive opal structure,
and/or a reverse opal structure) that can be formed into the master
shim 1203. Advantageously, one or more color generating structures
can be formed simultaneously with one or more other color
generating structures and/or one or more other features (e.g.,
diffusing and/or specular reflecting features) described herein. In
some embodiments, one or more color generating structures can be
formed sequentially (e.g., before or after) with one or more other
color generating structures and/or one or more other features. Some
embodiments may form only one of the color generating structures,
while other embodiments may form more than one or all of the shown
features and/or color generating structures.
As shown in FIG. 12, a substrate or carrier 1250 can be provided.
The substrate 1250 can be embossed or can provide support for a
layer of material 1260 which can be embossed by the embossing tool
1201 to form one or more of the actual color generating structures
1262. In some instances, heat embossing can be used to emboss a
heat embossable polymer (e.g., polyvinyl chloride) substrate 1250
or a heat embossable polymer 1260 disposed on the substrate 1250.
In some embodiments, the substrate 1250 or a layer of material 1260
can comprise a UV curable resin. In some such embodiments, UV light
can be applied during the embossing operation to cure the resin. In
some embodiments, the thickness of the UV cured resin 1260 disposed
on a substrate can be in a range from 1 to 15 microns, 1 to 12.5
microns, 1 to 10 microns, 2 to 15 microns, 2 to 12.5 microns, 2 to
10 microns, 1 to 7 microns, 2 to 7 microns, 2 to 5 microns, in any
ranges within these ranges, in any ranges formed by any of these
ranges, any values within any of these ranges, in any ranges formed
by such values, etc.
The substrate 1250 can be similar to the substrate described herein
(e.g., substrate 150 in FIG. 1A). For example, the substrate 1250
can include a polymer substrate such as polyethylene terephthalate
(PET) or oriented polypropylene (OPP), etc. The substrate 1250 can
have a thickness that can be in the range from 10 microns to 300
microns, from 10 microns, to 250 microns, from 10 microns to 200
microns, from 10 microns to 150 microns, from 10 microns to 100
microns, from 10 microns to 20 microns, in any ranges formed by any
of these ranges, in any ranges within these ranges, any values
within these ranges (e.g., 12.5 microns, 25 microns, 37.5 microns,
40 microns, 45 microns, 50 microns, 80 microns, 100 microns, etc.),
or in any ranges formed by such values.
Similar to FIG. 1A, the array of lenses (not shown), such as the 1D
lens array in FIG. 1C-1 or the 2D lens array in FIG. 1C-2, can be
disposed on a first side 1251 of a substrate 1250. The array of
lenses can be disposed on a first side 1251 of the substrate 1250
before one or more color generating structures 1262 are formed in
the layer of material 1260. For example, the lenses can be disposed
on a first side 1251 of the substrate 1250 before forming the color
generating structure 1262. In some embodiments, the array of lenses
can be disposed on a first side 1251 of the substrate 1250 after
one or more color generating structures 1262 are formed in the
layer of material 1260. In FIG. 12, the layer of material 1260 is
disposed on a second side 1252 of the substrate 1250 opposite the
first side 1251. In some such embodiments, the array of lenses can
be disposed on the first side 1251 or the second side 1252 of the
substrate after one or more of the actual color generating
structures are formed.
After the layer of material 1260 is embossed, for a reflective
reverse opal, the material 1260 can be coated with a coating 1265
comprising a reflective metal (e.g., coated with an opaque
reflective metal such as aluminum, silver, gold, tin, etc.), while
for a transmissive reverse opal, the material 1260 can be coated
with a coating 1265 comprising a transparent (or at least partially
transmissive) dielectric material having a relative high index of
refraction as described herein (e.g., zinc sulfide, titanium
dioxide, indium tin oxide, etc.). For a reflective plasmonic
structure, the material 1260 can be coated with a coating 1265
comprising a reflective metal (e.g., coated with an opaque
reflective metal such as silver, gold, aluminum, copper, tin,
etc.). In various embodiments, coating the embossed layer can
comprise vacuum or evaporation coating. In some instances, since
metal can be susceptible to corrosion, the coating 1265 comprising
a reflective metal can be provided with a protective coating 1266
(e.g., a layer of dielectric material or other metal such as
aluminum). In a transmissive plasmonic structure, any deposited
reflective layer between the metal layers can be removed. In some
such embodiments, some of the deposited metal may be lift-off or
ion scrubbed at an angle. As shown in FIG. 12, the color generating
structure 1262 (e.g., to reflect colored light) can be incorporated
with one or more diffusing features 1271 (e.g., to reflect diffuse
light) and/or one or more specular reflecting features 1272 (e.g.,
to reflect specular light)
FIG. 13A schematically illustrates an example device in accordance
with certain embodiments described herein. The device 1300 can
include an array 1305 of lenses as described herein. For example,
the array of lenses can include a UV cured resin in some
embodiments. The array 1305 of lenses can be a 1D lens array or a
2D array of lenses as described herein. As described herein, each
lens can have a diameter (or W.sub.L along the x-axis for a
lenticular lens array) from 5 microns to 200 microns (such as from
10 microns to 150 microns, from 15 microns to 100 microns, etc.).
The dimensions can depend on the application of use. For example,
for a security device on currency, each lens can have a diameter
from 5 microns to 20 microns (e.g., 5 microns, 10 microns, 15
microns, etc.).
As also described herein, the lenses can be disposed on a first
side 1351 of a substrate 1350. In some embodiments, the thickness
of the substrate 1350 can be based at least on part on the lens
diameter in the array of lenses. For example, in some instances, a
lens having a diameter of 15 microns can be disposed on a substrate
having a thickness of 15 micron (e.g., so the image plane can be in
focus). Likewise, a lens having a diameter of 80 microns can be
disposed on a substrate having a thickness of 80 microns. One or
more color generating structures 1362 (such as a reverse opal
structure 1362a, a positive opal structure 1362b, or a combination
thereof) can be disposed on a second side 1352 of the substrate
1350. For example, the one or more color generating structures 1362
can be formed in the UV curable resin 1360. In various embodiments,
one or more color generating structures 1362 can include a reverse
opal structure 1362a or a positive opal surface 1362b. As described
herein, some embodiments of the opal structure 1362 can include a
coating (e.g., reflective, transparent, or partially
reflective/partially transmissive). As also described herein,
various embodiments can include one or more color generating
structures 1362 incorporated with one or more diffusing features
1371 and/or one or more specular reflecting features 1372. As shown
in FIG. 13B, one or more color generating structures 1362 can
include a plasmonic structure 1362c. As described herein, the
plasmonic structure 1362c can be surface coated with an opaque
reflective material 1365 such as silver, followed by a protective
coating of a dielectric material (e.g., silicon dioxide) or
aluminum. FIGS. 13A and 13B are not drawn to scale. For example, in
many embodiments, the size of the opal structure 1362a or 1362b
and/or of the plasmonic structure 1362c can be much smaller than
the size of the lenses 1305. Although various examples herein
incorporating color generating structures are described with
respect to reflective features (e.g., specular reflecting and/or
diffusely reflective features), one or more of the reflective
structures can be substituted or combined with one or more
transmissive features (e.g., transparent and/or diffusely
transmissive features).
In various embodiments, after the device is formed, various
embodiments can be incorporated into a banknote as described
herein. The security device can be configured to provide
authenticity verification on an item of security (e.g., currency, a
credit card, a debit card, a passport, a driver's license, an
identification card, a document, a tamper evident container or
packaging, or a bottle of pharmaceuticals). The security device can
be a security thread, a hot stamp feature, an embedded feature, a
windowed feature, or a laminated feature.
In some embodiments, one or more colors produced by a corresponding
lens in the array of lenses can be resolved by an unaided eye.
However, for added security, in some embodiments, at least one
color can be added at a covert level. For example, one or more
color generating structures can be added such that the color is
below eye resolution (e.g., less than 100 microns) and not viewable
without aid of a magnifying glass or a microscope. As another
example, one or more color generating structures can be added such
that the colored symbol (e.g., text, number, graphic, etc.) is not
resolvable without an additional aid.
As described herein, a 2D lens array as shown in FIG. 1C-2 can be
incorporated in various embodiments described herein to present
images/icons with or without color. FIG. 14A schematically
illustrates an isometric view of an example security device 1040
including a 2D lens array 1025 comprising lens elements L.sub.1,
L.sub.2, L.sub.3, L.sub.4, L.sub.5 and L.sub.6 disposed over a
plurality of portions P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3, P.sub.4, P.sub.5
and P.sub.6 having optical features as described herein. The device
1040 can be configured to present different distinct images/icons
(e.g., a liberty bell and a number 100) when viewed from different
directions. For example, as discussed above, at a first viewing
angle, the device 1040 can present an icon for viewing and at a
second viewing angle the device 1040 does not present the icon for
viewing. Although FIG. 14A illustrates an example device 1040
configured to present an optical effect of switching between
different icons/images at different viewing angles (e.g., a bell
and the number 100), some embodiments, may be configured to present
an optical effect of a non-switching plurality of icons/images
(e.g., a 2D array of icons/images such as a 2D array of bells, a 2D
array of the number 100, or a 2D array of different icons). Some
embodiments may be configured to present an optical effect of
icons/images (e.g., a 2D array of icons/images) that may appear and
disappear at different viewing angles. As another example, some
embodiments may be configured to present an optical effect of
icons/images (e.g., a 2D array of icons/images) that may appear to
transition between reflecting and diffusing.
With continued reference to FIG. 14A, in various embodiments
discussed herein, the features included in each of the plurality of
portions P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3, P.sub.4, P.sub.5 and P.sub.6
can be configured to produce halftone images. As discussed herein,
in some embodiments, each of the plurality of portions P.sub.1,
P.sub.2, P.sub.3, P.sub.4, P.sub.5 and P.sub.6 can comprise a
plurality of features that are configured to produce a plurality of
distinct images/icons. For example, each of the plurality of
portions P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3, P.sub.4, P.sub.5 and P.sub.6
can comprise a first set of features that are configured to produce
a first image/icon and a second set of features that are configured
to produce a second image/icon distinct from the first image/icon.
As another example, the plurality of portions P.sub.1, P.sub.2,
P.sub.3, P.sub.4, P.sub.5 and P.sub.6 can comprise specular
reflecting (or transparent) features and diffusing (e.g., diffusely
reflective or diffusely transmissive) features. The specular
reflecting features can define one of the icon or the background.
The diffusing features can define the background when the specular
reflecting features define the icon. The diffusing features can
define the icon when the specular reflecting features define the
background. As described herein, other combinations of specular
reflecting, transparent, diffusely reflective, and/or diffusely
transmissive features are possible. In some embodiments, each of
the plurality of portions P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3, P.sub.4,
P.sub.5 and P.sub.6 is configured to produce a replica of the
distinct images/icons individually. In such embodiments, the 2D
lens array can be configured to produce distinct image/icons based
on the distinct images/icons produced by each of the plurality of
portions P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3, P.sub.4, P.sub.5 and P.sub.6
individually. For example, each lens element of the 2D lens array
can be configured to bring into focus different aspects of the
distinct image/icons produced by the respective portion over which
that lens element is disposed. In this manner a magnified version
of the distinct images/icons can be produced using the lens array.
In various embodiments, any of or any combination of the size and
shape of the portions P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3, P.sub.4, P.sub.5
and P.sub.6 and/or the location of the icons in the portions can be
the same. In some embodiments, for example, the plurality of
portions P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3, P.sub.4, P.sub.5 and P.sub.6
can be replicas of each other.
In FIG. 14A, the plurality of portions P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3,
P.sub.4, P.sub.5 and P.sub.6 are depicted as having approximately
the same size. However, in various embodiments, the portions
P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3, P.sub.4, P.sub.5 and P.sub.6 need not
have the same size and/or shape. The portions P.sub.1, P.sub.2,
P.sub.3, P.sub.4, P.sub.5 and P.sub.6 need not be ordered or
regularly arranged identically sized rows and columns. Irrespective
of whether the size and the shape of each of the plurality of
portions P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3, P.sub.4, P.sub.5 and P.sub.6
are the same, the different portions P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3,
P.sub.4, P.sub.5 and P.sub.6 can be configured to produce the same
set of images/icons.
The size of each lens element of the 2D lens array 1025 can be
matched to the size of the portion over which it is disposed such
that each of the plurality of portions has a corresponding lens
element disposed over it. In such embodiments, there is a
one-to-one correspondence between the number of lens elements of
the 2D lens array 1025 and the number of the portions. The
curvature of each lens element of the 2D lens array can be
configured to produce different optical effects and/or provide
different amounts of magnification. Although, in FIG. 14A, the size
of the individual lens elements of the 2D lens array is depicted as
having approximately the same size, in other embodiments, the size
of the individual lens elements of the 2D lens array can vary. In
FIG. 14A, the individual lens elements of the 2D lens array are
depicted as spherical lens elements that are in contact with the
neighboring lens elements such that the distance between the
centers of neighboring lens elements (also referred to as for
example pitch) is equal to the diameter of the spherical lens
element. However, in other embodiments, each lens element of the 2D
lens array can be spaced apart from a neighboring lens element by a
gap such that the distance between the centers of neighboring lens
elements is greater than the diameter of the lens element. In
various embodiments, the 2D lens array can be a regular array in
which the distance between the centers of neighboring lens elements
is constant across the array. However in other embodiments, the
distance between the centers of neighboring lens elements can vary
across the lens array.
The lens elements of the 2D lens array 1025 can be aligned with
respect to the plurality of portions P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3,
P.sub.4, P.sub.5 and P.sub.6 such that each lens element of the 2D
lens array is registered with a respective portion. For example,
the center of each lens element of the 2D lens array 1025 can
coincide with the center of a respective portion over which it is
disposed. FIG. 14B illustrates a top view of an example security
device including a 2D lens array 1025 having lens elements 1025a,
1025b, 1025c, 1025d, 1025e, 1025f, 1025g, 1025h and 1025i that are
registered with a portion P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3, P.sub.4,
P.sub.5, P.sub.6, P.sub.7, P.sub.8, and P.sub.9 respectively such
that the center of each lens element 1025a, 1025b, 1025c, 1025d,
1025e, 1025f, 1025g, 1025h and 1025i coincides with the center of
the respective portion P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3, P.sub.4, P.sub.5,
P.sub.6, P.sub.7, P.sub.8, and P.sub.9. In the device illustrated
in FIG. 14B, each portion P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3, P.sub.4,
P.sub.5, P.sub.6, P.sub.7, P.sub.8, and P.sub.9 has optical
features that are configured to produce two distinct images/icons
(e.g., a bell and the number 100). Other examples may include a
non-switching 2D array of images/icons (e.g., a 2D array of bells,
a 2D array of the number 100, or a 2D array of different
icons).
In FIG. 14B, the arrangement of features that are configured to
produce two distinct images/icons (e.g., a bell and the number 100)
is the same in each of the plurality of portions P.sub.1, P.sub.2,
P.sub.3, P.sub.4, P.sub.5, P.sub.6, P.sub.7, P.sub.8, and P.sub.9
such that similar regions of the lens elements 1025a, 1025b, 1025c,
1025d, 1025e, 1025f, 1025g, 1025h and 1025i are disposed over
similar regions of the two distinct images/icons and/or the icons
in the plurality of portions P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3, P.sub.4,
P.sub.5, P.sub.6, P.sub.7, P.sub.8, and P.sub.9 are disposed under
similar regions of the lens.
However, in various embodiments, lens elements need not be
registered with respect to the plurality of portions. For example,
as shown in FIG. 14C, the centers of the lens elements can be
laterally shifted with respect to the centers of the corresponding
portions. In such embodiments, the icons may appear to move when
the device is tilted such that it is viewed from different
directions. Although, the centers of the lens elements in FIG. 14C
are depicted as being shifted laterally along the horizontal
direction, in other embodiments, the centers of the lens elements
can be shifted laterally along the vertical direction.
In FIG. 14D, the features in each of the plurality of portions
P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3, P.sub.4, P.sub.5, P.sub.6, P.sub.7,
P.sub.8, and P.sub.9 that are configured to produce two distinct
images/icons (e.g., a bell and the number 100) are arranged such
that the two distinct images/icons are produced in different
spatial regions in each of the plurality of portions P.sub.1,
P.sub.2, P.sub.3, P.sub.4, P.sub.5, P.sub.6, P.sub.7, P.sub.8, and
P.sub.9. Thus, although the individual lens elements of the 2D lens
array are registered with a corresponding portion, the icons of the
different portions P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3, P.sub.4, P.sub.5,
P.sub.6, P.sub.7, P.sub.8, and P.sub.9 are not in the same position
with respect to the center of the lens. Without any loss of
generality, the plurality of portions P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3,
P.sub.4, P.sub.5, P.sub.6, P.sub.7, P.sub.8, and P.sub.9 can be
considered to form a 2D array of images that extends along
horizontal and vertical directions. As discussed herein, the array
of images can be a regular array having a period (referred to
herein as an image period) corresponding to the distance between
consecutive images. The 2D array of lenses can also extend along
horizontal and vertical directions. In various embodiments, the
lens period of the 2D lens array corresponding to the distance
between consecutive lens elements can be equal to the image period
(e.g., as shown in FIG. 14B), greater than the image period or
lesser than the image period. When the lens period is greater than
the image period, the image/icon can appear beyond the image plane.
When the lens period is lesser than the image period, the
image/icon can appear in front of the image plane. In various
embodiments, the horizontal and vertical directions of the lens
array can be aligned with the horizontal and vertical directions of
the image array (as depicted in FIG. 14B) such that each lens
element of the 2D lens array is registered (or aligned) with each
element of the image array. However, in some other embodiments, the
horizontal and vertical directions along which the lens array
extends can be rotated with respect to the horizontal and vertical
directions along which the image array extends such that the lens
array is rotated with respect to the image array as depicted in
FIG. 14E. For example, the lens array can be rotated by an amount
less than or equal to 15 degrees with respect to the image array.
By rotating the lens array with respect to the image array, the
image/icon can be configured to move in a perpendicular direction
relative to the tilt direction with respect to the observer as the
viewing angle is changed. In such embodiments, the lens period can
be considered to be rotated with respect to the image period. A
similar effect can be obtained by rotating the horizontal and
vertical directions along which the image array extends with
respect to the horizontal and vertical directions along which the
lens array extends as shown in FIG. 14F.
The 2D lens array disposed over a 2D image array can produce many
different optical effects. For example, the different images/icons
can appear to move laterally as the optical device is tilted. As
another example, each of the plurality of portions can be
configured to produce a first version of an image/icon having a
first size and a second version of the image/icon having a second
size. As the optical device is tilted, the image/icon can appear to
change size without changing their shape. The different
images/icons can appear to form puzzle pieces that intersect and/or
move away from each other as the optical device is tilted. The
different images/icons can appear to change optical density as the
optical device is tilted. In some embodiments, each of the
plurality of portions can be configured to produce a first version
of an image/icon that is reflective (such that it appears bright)
and a second version of the image/icon that is diffusive. As the
optical device is tilted, the image/icon can appear to change from
a reflective state to a diffusive state or vice-versa while
maintaining the same shape. In some embodiments, each of the
plurality of portions can be configured to produce a first version
of an image/icon having a first orientation and a second version of
the image/icon having a second orientation. The orientation of the
image/icon can appear to change as the device is tilted. The
different images/icons may appear to come closer together or move
away from each other as the optical device is tilted. The different
images/icons may appear to move in opposite directions laterally as
the optical device is tilted. The different images/icons may appear
to change from one symbol to another, from one number to another,
from one geometric figure to another, from one logo to another, or
from one pictorial representation to another as the optical device
is tilted.
FIG. 14G illustrates a top view of security device comprising a
lens array disposed over an image array. The image array includes
portions comprising optical features that are configured to produce
distinct icons (e.g., a bell and a text 100). The features of the
image array that produce the first icon (e.g., a bell) are rotated
along a first direction (e.g., counter clock-wise) with respect to
the centers of the lenses of the lens array and the features of the
image array that produce the second icon (e.g., text 100) are
rotated along a second opposite direction (e.g., clock-wise) with
respect to the centers of the lenses of the lens array. When the
device is tilted then the first icon (e.g., a bell) and the second
icon (e.g., text 100) can appear to move in different
directions.
FIG. 14H illustrates a top view of security device comprising a
lens array disposed over an image array. The image array includes
portions comprising optical features that are configured to produce
distinct icons (e.g., a bell and a text 100). The features of the
image array that produce the first icon (e.g., a bell) are disposed
such that they coincide with respect to the centers of the lenses
of the lens array. Accordingly, the pitch of the first icons in the
image (or the distance between adjacent first icons) is
substantially equal to the pitch of the lens array. The pitch of
the second icons in the image array can be different from the pitch
of the lens array. For example, the pitch of the second icons can
be from about 0.25% to about 1%, from about 0.25% to about 10%,
from about 0.25% to about 15%, from about 0.25% to about 20%, or
between about 1%-20% greater than or lesser than the pitch of the
lens array. When the device is tilted then the second icon (e.g.,
text 100) can appear to move away from or closer to the first icon.
Many such optical effects can be created by varying the
registration of the image array and/or icons of the image array
with respect to the centers of the lenses in the lens array. For
example, in some embodiments, some of the images/icons produced by
the features of the plurality of portions can appear to be at the
surface of the device while some other images/icons produced by the
features of the plurality of portions can appear to float above or
below the surface of the device.
As described herein, certain embodiments of features described
herein can be combined together in any combination. Certain
embodiments incorporating more than one feature described herein
can advantageously provide a security device that is more difficult
to counterfeit. Although various embodiments are described herein
in the context of security devices, various embodiments can also be
used in non-security applications (e.g., for aesthetics such as on
packaging). FIG. 15 schematically illustrates an example optical
device incorporating multiple embodiments of features described
herein.
In FIG. 15, the example optical device 1500 includes at least one
array 1525 of lenses. A plurality of first 1501 and second 1502
segments can be disposed under the array 1525 of lenses (e.g.,
under lenses or lens elements L.sub.1, L.sub.2, L.sub.3, L.sub.4).
The plurality of first 1501 and second 1502 segments can have a
length extending along a first axis A.sub.1. As illustrated in FIG.
15, the first 1501 and second 1502 segments can form a 1D segment
array (e.g., an array of segments periodic in one dimension) such
that individual ones of the first 1501 and second 1502 segments can
be disposed under a plurality of corresponding lenses. For example,
one set of the first 1501 and second 1502 segments can be disposed
under lenses L.sub.1, L.sub.4, and another set of the first 1501
and second 1502 segments can be disposed under lenses L.sub.2,
L.sub.3.
As described herein, in various embodiments, the first 1501 and
second 1502 segments can correspond to portions of an image or
icon/background (e.g., as described with respect to FIGS. 1A-1B and
3A-3B). For example, the first 1501 and second 1502 segments can
include a combination of specular reflecting, transparent,
diffusely reflective, and/or diffusely transmissive features as
described herein. Half-toning and/or color generating structures
can also be incorporated (e.g., as described with respect to FIGS.
8A-8C and 10A-13B). Upon tilting the first 1501 and second 1502
segments about the first axis A.sub.1 at a first viewing angle, the
array 1525 of lenses can be configured to present an icon for
viewing. Upon tilting the first 1501 and second 1502 segments about
the first axis A.sub.1 at a second viewing angle, the array 1525 of
lenses can be configured to not present the icon for viewing. As
described with reference to FIGS. 1A-1B, some embodiments can be
configured such that the viewer can see the icon appear and
disappear upon tilting. As described with reference to FIGS. 3A-3B,
some embodiments can be configured such that the viewer can see the
icon switch to another icon upon tilting. In some embodiments, the
icon can appear in the plane of the surface of the device (e.g., as
opposed to above, in front of, below, or behind the surface of the
device).
With continued reference to FIG. 15, some embodiments can include
one or more additional sets of features as described herein. For
example, the example optical device 1500 can include another
plurality of first 1511 and second 1512 segments disposed under the
array 1525 of lenses (e.g., under lenses L.sub.9, L.sub.10,
L.sub.11, L.sub.12). The plurality of the first 1511 and second
1512 segments can have a length extending along a second axis
A.sub.2. As illustrated, the first 1511 and second 1512 segments
can form a 1D segment array such that individual ones of the first
1511 and second 1512 segments can be disposed under a plurality of
corresponding lenses. For example, one set of the first 1511 and
second 1512 segments can be disposed under lenses L.sub.9,
L.sub.10, and another set of the first 1511 and second 1512
segments can be disposed under lenses L.sub.11, L.sub.12.
With continued reference to FIG. 15, the second set of segments
(e.g., the plurality of first 1511 and second 1512 segments) can be
laterally displaced from the first set of segments (e.g., plurality
of first 1501 and second 1502 segments). As illustrated in FIG. 15,
the second set of segments can be spaced apart from the first set
of segments. In some embodiments, the second set can be adjacent to
the first set.
The second set of segments (e.g., the first 1511 and second 1512
segments) can have similar features as the first set of segments
(e.g., the first 1501 and second 1502 segments). Upon tilting first
1511 and second 1512 segments about the second axis A.sub.2 at a
third viewing angle, the array 1525 of lenses can be configured to
present a second icon for viewing (can be an icon that is similar
or different in shape, size, color, texture, etc. than the icon
from the first 1501 and second 1502 segments). When tilting the
first 1511 and second 1512 segments about the second axis A.sub.2
at a fourth viewing angle, the array 1525 of lenses can be
configured to not present the second icon for viewing (e.g., either
disappearing or switching to another icon).
In this example, the first A.sub.1 and second A.sub.2 axes are
orthogonal to each other. For example, when looking from a top view
of the lens array 1525 and the segments disposed thereunder, the
first axis A.sub.1 can be the horizontal axis and the second axis
A.sub.2 can be the vertical axis (or vice versa). Incorporating two
such examples in an optical device 1500 can produce two different
optical effects. For example, in some embodiments upon tilting
about the horizontal axis, icons can appear to flip vertically, and
upon tilting about the vertical axis, icons can appear to flip
horizontally.
As an example, the optical device (e.g., an optical array thin film
device) can include a first and second image. In some embodiments,
the second image can be adjacent to the first image. For example,
the second image can be physically adjacent to the first image.
Upon tilting the device away or toward an observer, the first image
can flip to a third image, and upon tilting the device from side to
side, the second image can flip to a fourth image. The first,
second, third, and fourth images can include an icon and a
background. The first, second, third, and fourth images can have
similar or different icons. In some examples, the icons/images can
be all different from one another. In some embodiments, the third
or fourth image may be a blank image such that when the first or
second image flips, the image has the optical effect of the
icon/image appearing and disappearing (e.g., FIGS. 1A-1B). In some
embodiments, two icons/images can match at a particular angle of
tilt. For example, the first image can match the third or fourth
image at a tilting angle, or the second image can match the third
or fourth image at a tilting angle. As described herein, any of the
icons can appear bright against a darker diffuse background at an
angle of specular observation. As also described herein, any of the
icons can appear dark against a brighter diffuse background at an
angle of off-specular observation. The device can include any of
the features described herein (e.g., one or more of specular
reflecting, diffusely reflecting, transmissive, or diffusely
transmissive features configured to define the first, second,
third, or fourth images).
In addition, certain embodiments can include (or instead of having
a second plurality of first 1511 and second 1512 segments) a
plurality of additional segments P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3, P.sub.4
(e.g., as described with respect to FIGS. 14A-14H) disposed under
the array 1525 of lenses (e.g., under L.sub.5, L.sub.6, L.sub.7,
L.sub.8). In some embodiments, the segments P.sub.1, P.sub.2,
P.sub.3, P.sub.4 can form a 2D image array of a plurality of
icons/backgrounds or images. The plurality of additional segments
P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3, P.sub.4 can be disposed with respect to
a corresponding lens L.sub.5, L.sub.6, L.sub.7, L.sub.8 of the
array 1525 of lenses. The array 1525 of lenses can present the
plurality of icons (e.g., a 2D image array of icons in some cases)
for viewing. For example, the lenses can be configured to produce a
magnified version of the icons/backgrounds or images.
As illustrated in FIG. 15, the portions P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3,
P.sub.4 can be laterally displaced from the first set of segments
(e.g., plurality of first 1501 and second 1502 segments) and/or the
second set of segments (e.g., plurality of first 1511 and second
1512 segments). As described herein, some embodiments can produce
optical effects such that the icons can appear above, in front of,
below, or behind the surface of the device (e.g., as opposed to in
the plane of the surface of the device). For example, in some
embodiments, the plurality of icons can appear above or in front of
the surface of the device. In some such embodiments, the icons can
appear to move to the right of the device when an observer moves to
the left of the device. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the
plurality of icons can appear below or behind the surface of the
device. In some such embodiments, the icons can appear to move to
the left of the device when an observer moves to the left of the
device.
As described herein, in some embodiments, the distance (or pitch)
between adjacent lenses L.sub.5, L.sub.6, L.sub.7, L.sub.8 of the
array 1525 of lenses can be equal to, less than, or greater than
(e.g., from about 0.25% to about 1%, from about 0.25% to about 10%,
from about 0.25% to about 15%, or from about 0.25% to about 20%
less than or greater than) a distance between the corresponding
segments P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3, P.sub.4 disposed under the
array 1525 of lenses (or the pitch of the 2D image array formed by
features on the segments P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3, P.sub.4). In
some instances, when the pitch of the lenses is greater than the
pitch of the 2D image array, the icons can appear below or behind
the surface of the device (e.g., the icons can appear to float
below or behind the surface of the device). In some instances, when
the pitch of the lenses is less than the pitch of the 2D image
array, the icons can appear above or in front of the surface of the
device (e.g., the icons can appear to float above or in front of
the surface of the device).
In some embodiments (not shown), two such sets of portions P.sub.1,
P.sub.2, P.sub.3, P.sub.4 can be provided (alone or in combination
with other segments shown in FIG. 15). In some embodiments, the
first and second set of portions can produce different optical
effects. For instance, the first set of portions may produce an
icon (or a 2D array of icons/images) that is different (e.g., in
size, shape, color, texture, etc.) from the icon (or a 2D array of
icons/images) produced by the second set of portions. As another
example, the first set of portions may produce an icon (or a 2D
array of icons/images) that appears to float below the surface of
the device, and the second set of portions may produce an icon (or
a 2D array of icons/images) that appears to float above the surface
of the device. In some embodiments, the first and second sets of
portions may produce the same or similar optical effect, but may be
spaced apart from each other by a region (e.g., including any of
the features producing optical effects as described herein) that
produces a different optical effect from the first or second sets
of portions. In some embodiments, the first and second sets of
portions may be spaced apart by a region that produces no optical
effect.
In various embodiments, the at least one array of lenses can be
provided by separate array lenses (e.g., separate 1D arrays and/or
separate 2D arrays of lenses). In some embodiments, the array of
lenses can be provided by a single 2D array 1525 of lenses (e.g.,
as shown in FIG. 15). For example, in some embodiments, the
different regions producing different optical effects can be
manufactured so as to be together under the same 2D array of
lenses. Compared to incorporating different sets of lenses (and/or
features disposed under the lenses) separately, certain
embodiments, such as those having a common 2D array of lenses
disposed thereover, can be easier to manufacture and can provide
better registration and/or alignment of the different sets of
lenses and/or features.
Additional features described herein may be included (e.g., in
between or surrounding) and/or substituted for any of the example
features shown in FIG. 15. As described herein, certain embodiments
of features described herein can be combined together in any
combination (e.g., any of the features described with reference to
FIGS. 1A-14H). For example, with reference to FIG. 5A, some
embodiments can include a transparent portion 503 to allow
information (e.g., printed information, graphics, photograph, etc.)
on an underlying product or packaging to be viewable. The
transparent portion 503 can include a transparent layer of high
refractive index material (e.g., index of refraction of about 1.8
to about 2.5, of about 1.8 to about 2.75, or of about 1.8 to about
3.0, such as zinc sulfide, titanium dioxide, tantalum pentoxide,
zirconium dioxide, or a combination thereof). Reflective features,
such as decorative features, may be formed by the index mismatched
material such as high refractive index material (or reflective
interference coating(s)) that provide some level of reflectivity in
addition to some level of optical transmission. Other examples are
possible.
Example Optical Effects
With reference to FIG. 1A-1B or 3A-3B, various implementations
described herein can provide an optical device 100, 300 having an
array 105, 305 of lenses (e.g., one or more 1D array of lenses, 2D
array of lenses, and/or combination thereof) and a plurality of
segments 101, 102, 301, 302 disposed under the array 105, 305 of
lenses. The plurality of segments 101, 102, 301, 302 can correspond
to a plurality of images 110, 120, 310, 320. In some
implementations, the images 110, 120, 310, 320 can include at least
one icon 112, 312, 322 and at least one background 115, 125, 315,
325. The segments 101, 102, 301, 302 (one or more segments) can
include any of the features described herein. For example, the
segments can include smooth features 132, 332, 342 (e.g., specular
reflecting and/or transparent features) and/or diffusing features
135, 145, 335, 345 (e.g., diffusely reflective and/or diffusely
transmissive features). The smooth features 132, 332, 342 can
define one of the at least one icon 112, 312, 322 and the at least
one background 115, 125, 315, 325. The diffusing features 135, 145,
335, 345 can define the at least one background 115, 125, 315, 325
when the smooth features 132, 332, 342 define the at least one icon
112, 312, 322. Alternatively, the diffusing features 135, 145, 335,
345 can define the at least one icon 112, 312, 322 when the smooth
features 132, 332, 342 define the at least one background 115, 125,
315, 325. The features 132, 332, 342, 135, 145, 335, 345 can be
viewed in reflection and/or transmission.
The segments 101, 102, 301, 302 can include at least two sets
101/102, 301/302 of segments corresponding to at least two images
110/120, 310/320. For simplicity, FIGS. 1A-1B and 3A-3B illustrate
only two sets 101/102, 301/302 of segments corresponding to at
least a first image 110, 310 and second image 120, 320. As the
optical device 100, 300 is tilted, the array 105, 305 of lenses can
present the first image 110, 310 at a first viewing angle .alpha.,
and the second image 120, 320 at a second viewing angle .beta.
different from the first viewing angle .alpha.. As described
herein, various optical effects such as an icon appearing and
disappearing (e.g., FIGS. 1A-1B) or an icon switching to another
icon (e.g., FIGS. 3A-3B) can be achieved.
As also described herein, the number of segments and images are not
particularly limited. The segments can include additional sets of
segments corresponding to additional images. For example, the
optical device can include 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45,
50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, or more (or any range formed by such
values, e.g., 10-30, 15-30, 20-30, 10-40, 15-40, 20-40, 10-50,
15-50, 20-50, 10-60, 15-60, 20-60, 10-70, 15-70, 20-70, 10-80,
15-80, 20-80, 10-90, 15-90, 20-90, 10-100, 15-100, 20-100, etc.)
sets of segments and/or images. FIG. 16 schematically illustrates
an example of such an optical device 1600. In FIG. 16, there are
thirteen sets 1601, 1602, 1603, 1604, . . . 1613 of segments
corresponding to thirteen images as an example. A set 1601 of
segments can include non-adjacent segments 1601a, 1601b, 1601c. As
the optical device 1600 is tilted through different viewing angles,
the array of lenses 1605 can present the images sequentially. For
example, the array of lenses 1605 can present a first image formed
by a first set 1601 of segments 1601a, 1601b, 1601c, followed by a
second image formed by a second set 1602 of segments 1602a, 1602b,
1602c, followed by a third image formed by a third set 1603 of
segments 1603a, 1603b, 1603c, followed by a fourth image formed by
a fourth set 1604 of segments 1604a, 1604b, 1604c, etc. As shown,
segments from the various sets are included under a single lens of
the array of lenses. As illustrated in FIG. 16, for example,
segments 1601a, 1602a, 1603a, 1604a, etc. from the various sets,
e.g., the first set 1601, the second set 1602, the third set 1603,
the fourth set 1604, etc. are included under a first lens of the
array of lenses. Similarly, segments 1601b, 1602b, 1603b, 1604b,
etc. from the various sets, e.g., the first set 1601, the second
set 1602, the third set 1603, the fourth set 1604, etc. are
included under a second lens of the array of lenses. And, segments
1601c, 1602c, 1603c, 1604c, etc. from the various sets, e.g., the
first set 1601, the second set 1602, the third set 1603, the fourth
set 1604, etc. are included under a third lens of the array of
lenses.
To incorporate additional segments 1601, 1602, 1603, 1604, . . .
1613, the size of the lenses (e.g., thickness t and/or width
W.sub.L) may be increased and/or the width of segments may be
reduced. As an example, some segments can have a width less than or
equal to 50 microns, less than or equal to 40 microns, less than or
equal to 30 microns, less than or equal to 20 microns, less than or
equal to 10 microns, and/or in a range from 0.5 micron to 50
microns, in any range within this range (e.g., 0.5 micron to 40
microns, 0.5 micron to 30 microns, 0.5 micron to 20 microns, 0.5
micron to 10 microns, 1 micron to 40 microns, 1 micron to 30
microns, 1 micron to 20 microns, 1 micron to 10 microns, etc.), any
values within these ranges, or in any ranges formed by such values.
In some instances, the thickness and/or width of a lens can be
greater than or equal to 10 microns, greater than or equal to 20
microns, greater than or equal to 30 microns, greater than or equal
to 40 microns, greater than or equal to 50 microns, greater than or
equal to 60 microns, greater than or equal to 70 microns, greater
than or equal to 80 microns, greater than or equal to 90 microns,
greater than or equal to 100 microns, and/or in a range from 10
microns to 100 microns, in any range within this range (e.g., 10
microns to 20 microns, 10 microns to 30 microns, 10 microns to 40
microns, 10 microns to 50 microns, 10 microns to 60 microns, 10
microns to 70 microns, 10 microns to 80 microns, 10 microns to 90
microns, 10 microns to 100 microns, etc.), any values within these
ranges, or in any ranges formed by such values.
In certain implementations, the optical device can include a 1D
array of lenses configured to present a 3D image. In various
implementations, the optical device can include a 2D array of
lenses configured to present a 3D image. In some implementations,
the images can include similar icons and backgrounds with gradual
differences such that the still images (e.g., frames) when
presented and viewed in sequence can provide an optical effect of
motion or change (e.g., a moving picture). In some designs, the
images when presented and viewed in sequence can provide an optical
effect of a smooth, continuous animation (e.g., without flicker).
For instance, the presented images can provide perceptions of one
or more icons from a different orientation, perspective, location
and/or one or more icons that may appear to move, rotate, change
form, color, brightness, etc. Some images can include shadows.
In some implementations, the images can include different icons
and/or backgrounds, or similar icons and/or backgrounds with abrupt
differences such that the images when presented can provide an
optical effect of rapidly switching icons. In some implementations,
the images can include a combination of images with gradual and
abrupt differences, e.g., to provide optical effects of both
gradually changing icons and rapidly changing icons. In some
implementations, the gradual and abrupt differences between images
can be quantified, for example, by correlation (e.g., angle
sequential correlation). For example, a sequence of images A, B, C,
D, E, may have identical images A and B which would have a
correlation coefficient of 1. In some instances, a relatively high
correlation (e.g., correlation coefficient of 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65,
0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, 0.96, 0.97, 0.98, 0.99, 1 or any
ranges formed by such values such as 0.5 to 0.9, 0.5 to 0.95, 0.5
to 1, 0.6 to 0.9, 0.6 to 0.95, 0.6 to 1, 0.65 to 0.9, 0.65 to 0.95,
0.65 to 1, 0.7 to 0.9, 0.7 to 0.95, 0.7 to 1, 0.75 to 0.9, 0.75 to
0.95, 0.75 to 1, 0.8 to 0.9, 0.8 to 0.95, 0.8 to 1, 0.85 to 0.9,
0.85 to 0.95, 0.85 to 1, 0.9 to 0.95, 0.9 to 1, 0.95 to 1, 0.97 to
1, etc.) and/or a relatively low correlation differential (e.g.,
difference between correlation coefficients of 0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03,
0.04, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.49 or any
ranges formed by such values such as 0 to 0.1, 0.05 to 0.1, 0 to
0.15, 0.05 to 0.15, 0 to 0.2, 0.05 to 0.2, 0.1 to 0.2, 0 to 0.25,
0.05 to 0.25, 0.1 to 0.25, 0 to 0.3, 0.05 to 0.3, 0.1 to 0.3, 0 to
0.35, 0.05 to 0.35, 0.1 to 0.35, 0 to 0.4, 0.05 to 0.4, 0.1 to 0.4,
0 to 0.45, 0.05 to 0.45, 0.1 to 0.45, 0 to 0.49, 0.05 to 0.49, 0.1
to 0.49, etc.) between two images viewable in sequence upon tilt
provided by two sets of segments can indicate a gradual change, and
a relatively low correlation (e.g., correlation coefficient of 0,
0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4,
0.45, 0.49, or any ranges formed by such values such as 0 to 0.1,
0.05 to 0.1, 0 to 0.15, 0.05 to 0.15, 0 to 0.2, 0.05 to 0.2, 0.1 to
0.2, 0 to 0.25, 0.05 to 0.25, 0.1 to 0.25, 0 to 0.3, 0.05 to 0.3,
0.1 to 0.3, 0 to 0.35, 0.05 to 0.35, 0.1 to 0.35, 0 to 0.4, 0.05 to
0.4, 0.1 to 0.4, 0 to 0.45, 0.05 to 0.45, 0.1 to 0.45, 0 to 0.49,
0.05 to 0.49, 0.1 to 0.49, etc.) and/or a relatively high
correlation differential (e.g., difference between correlation
coefficients of 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9,
0.95, 0.96, 0.97, 0.98, 0.99, 1 or any ranges formed by such values
such as 0.5 to 0.9, 0.5 to 0.95, 0.5 to 1, 0.6 to 0.9, 0.6 to 0.95,
0.6 to 1, 0.65 to 0.9, 0.65 to 0.95, 0.65 to 1, 0.7 to 0.9, 0.7 to
0.95, 0.7 to 1, 0.75 to 0.9, 0.75 to 0.95, 0.75 to 1, 0.8 to 0.9,
0.8 to 0.95, 0.8 to 1, 0.85 to 0.9, 0.85 to 0.95, 0.85 to 1, 0.9 to
0.95, 0.9 to 1, 0.95 to 1, 0.97 to 1, etc.) between two images
viewable in sequence upon tilt provided by two sets of segments can
provide an abrupt change. Since an image is provided by a set of
segments, the correlation and/or correlation differential between
two segments can also indicate a gradual or abrupt change in
portions of two images. For example, in some implementations, a
relatively high correlation (e.g., correlation coefficient of 0.5,
0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, 0.96, 0.97, 0.98,
0.99, 1 or any ranges formed by such values) and/or relatively low
correlation differential (e.g., correlation differential of 0,
0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4,
0.45, 0.49 or any ranges formed by such values) between two sets of
segments can provide a gradual change. In some instances, the naked
eye may not discern the difference between the images. In some
designs, a majority of adjacent segments and/or images (e.g., at
least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%,
at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least
99%, 100%, or any ranges formed by such values) can have a
relatively high correlation therebetween (e.g., correlation
coefficient of 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9,
0.95, 0.96, 0.97, 0.98, 0.99, 1 or any ranges formed by such
values) and/or relatively low correlation differential (e.g.,
correlation differential of 0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.1,
0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.49 or any ranges formed by
such values). As another example, in some implementations, a
relatively low correlation (e.g., correlation coefficient of 0,
0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4,
0.45, 0.49, or any ranges formed by such values) and/or relatively
high correlation differential (e.g., correlation differential 0.5,
0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, 0.96, 0.97, 0.98,
0.99, 1 or any ranges formed by such values) between two sets of
segments can provide an abrupt change.
FIGS. 17A-17C show example images that can be presented for viewing
by an optical device described herein. The images 1701, 1702, 1703
include an icon 1712, 1722, 1732 against a background 1715, 1725,
1735. The images 1701, 1702, 1703 show the icon 1712, 1722, 1732 of
an eagle in various stages of flight. When the images (e.g., along
with other images with gradual differences) are presented
sequentially for viewing, the eagle can appear to be in motion
(e.g., flying).
In various examples, the images represent a sampling of the motion
of an object or the movement of the orientation of the object or
the lighting of the object. In some implementations, the number of
unique images is sufficiently high to create smooth movement or
transition between images when the angular motion between viewer
and the optical device is sufficiently rapid. For example, if there
are 13 images, and each image extends across a 5 degree field of
view, and if the motion causes the viewer to move between images at
a rate of 24 images/sec, and has an angular change of 65 degrees,
the movement can appear as smooth as an animation or cinematic
video in some implementations. As another example, for 22 sets of
segments (e.g., corresponding to 22 images), each segment can be
separated by 0.5 degree with an overall of 10 degrees of tilt to
see fluid motion for all 22 set of segments. In some designs, the
segments can be separated by 0.1 degree, 0.2 degree, 0.3 degree,
0.4 degree, 0.5 degree, 1 degree, 1.5 degrees, 2 degrees, 2.5
degrees, 3 degrees, 3.5 degrees, 4 degrees, 4.5 degrees, 5 degrees
of tilt, etc. or any ranges formed by such values. Likewise, if the
number of images is too small, the presented images may not provide
the appearance of smooth motion with a large dynamic motion range.
In various implementations, however the transition from one image
to the next is seamless, without flicker, without interruption, or
without abrupt transition as perceived by an aided human eye.
Movement (including possibly e.g., rotation or change in
perspective) and/or change from one shape, form, or presentation
(e.g., brightness, contrast, shade, color, etc.) to another is
similarly seamless, without flicker, without interruption, or
without abrupt transition as perceived by an aided human eye and
may appear as a movie, video, or animation. In some
implementations, one or more changes may be abrupt. In certain
implementations, periods of smooth or seamless transition can be
included together with one or more abrupt transitions.
With reference to FIG. 16, after tilting the optical device 1600
such that all the images (e.g., 13 images in this example) are
viewed, the device 1600 can again present another cycle of the
images (e.g., another series of the 13 images) upon further
tilting. In some implementations, the sets of segments can provide
images that appear to form a continuous loop (e.g., no or
substantially no abrupt change between cycles). For example, the
last set of segments under a lens can have a relatively high
correlation and/or relatively low correlation differential with an
adjacent first set of segments under an adjacent lens such that the
image provided by the last set of segments can be substantially
similar to the image provided by the first set of segments. For
example, with reference to FIGS. 17A-17C, the images when viewed in
cycles can provide the optical effect of an eagle extending its
wings up and down, up and down, etc. Other examples of moving life
forms (e.g., humans, animals, and insects) are possible.
FIGS. 18A-18E show another example set of images that can be
presented for viewing by an optical device described herein. The
images 1801, 1802, 1803, 1804, 1805 include an icon 1812, 1822,
1832, 1842, 1852 against a background 1815, 1825, 1835, 1845, 1855.
The images 1801, 1802, 1803, 1804, 1805 show an icon 1812, 1822,
1832, 1842, 1852 of a dollar sign from various
orientations/perspectives. When viewed sequentially upon tilting
the device, the dollar sign can appear to rotate. Additional icons
can also be presented. For example, the images 1801, 1802, 1803,
1804, 1805 also show an icon 1813, 1823, 1833, 1843, 1853 of the
shadow corresponding to the rotating dollar sign from a fixed light
source. The shadow can move in a manner consistent with the
movement of the object, here, the rotating dollar sign, illuminated
by a fixed light source. Other examples of rotating objects and the
corresponding shadows from a fixed light source are possible. Other
examples may provide the optical effect of a fixed object and a
moving/changing shadow from a moving light source. The shadow
changes shape and size, for example, in a manner consistent with
the movement of the light source with respect to the object and the
resultant shadow produced from such changing position of the
illumination. Such effects are "natural" and consistent with the
changes in shape and size of real shadow produced by the
illumination of real object with real light sources. Accordingly,
such effects are intuitive. Other examples may provide an unnatural
optical effect. For example, changes in perspective or movement of
objects and/or shadows can be non-intuitive and/or unnatural. As an
example, the expected shadow of the object (e.g., rotating dollar
sign) may be in combination or replaced with an unexpected shadow
(e.g., in combination or replaced with the shadow of the graphic
"100" or the shadow of the scales of justice tipping). Another
example can include an object having a natural optical effect and
another object with an unnatural optical effect. One way of
accomplishing such an effect is to decouple the movement or change
of certain object with that of others by having the movements or
changes be inconsistent, counter, independent, counter-intuitive,
or otherwise uncoupled. For example, the presented images may
include an icon (e.g., in the foreground) with one type of movement
or optical effect (e.g., a rotating scale), and another icon (e.g.,
behind the other icon) with another type of movement or optical
effect (e.g., a scale with dishes moving up and down) produced with
tilt that would not be consistent or would be counter to each
other, or would be counter-intuitive, independent or otherwise
uncoupled or not connected. In some examples, the icon can include
a corresponding shadow from a fixed light source. Alternatively or
additionally, the icon can include a shadow that does not
correspond to the fixed light source. In some examples, the icon
can include a corresponding shadow from a moving light source.
Alternatively or additionally, the icon can include a shadow that
does not correspond to the moving light source. In some examples,
the icon can include a shadow that does not correspond to a fixed
light source or a moving light source. Any combination of these
scenarios are also possible as more than one shadow from the same
or from different icons can be included in the images. For example,
the image can include a shadow corresponding to a fixed light
source and a shadow that does not correspond to the fixed light
source (formed by the same or a different object). Similarly, in
some examples the image can include a shadow corresponding to a
moving light source and a shadow that does not correspond to the
moving light source (formed by the same or a different object). In
some instances, at least one icon can include an object with a
shadow and an object without a shadow. Other examples are
possible.
FIGS. 19A-19E show another example set of images that can be
presented for viewing by an optical device. The images 1901, 1902,
1903, 1904, 1905 include an icon 1912, 1922, 1932, 1942, 1952
against a background 1915, 1925, 1935, 1945, 1955. The images 1901,
1902, 1903, 1904, 1905 show an icon 1912, 1922, 1932, 1942, 1952 of
an assembling star. Each succeeding image includes the image from
the preceding image and additional content. With tilt, a portion of
the icon persists and one or more additional portions of the icon
or additional icons are added.
FIGS. 20A-20B show another example set of images that can be
presented for viewing. In this example, only the first image 2001
and last image 2002 are shown. The first image 2001 includes a
first icon 2012 of a silhouette against a first background 2015.
The second image 2002 includes a second icon 2022 of a face (e.g.,
full front view) against a second background 2025. The images in
between the first and last image 2001, 2002 can gradually change
form (e.g., morph) from the first icon 2012 (e.g., silhouette) into
the second icon 2022 (e.g., full face). In some examples, the
correlation between these successive segments can be high (e.g.,
correlation coefficient of 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8,
0.85, 0.9, 0.95, 0.96, 0.97, 0.98, 0.99, 1 or any ranges formed by
such values) and/or the correlation differential between these
successive segments can be low (e.g., correlation differential of
0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35,
0.4, 0.45, 0.49 or any ranges formed by such values). Other
examples of icons changing form are possible.
Although some implementations may provide the appearance of a
gradual change (e.g., moving, rotating, changing form) and/or a
continuous loop (e.g., motion as described with respect to FIGS.
17A-17C), some devices may provide an abrupt change between any of
the set of segments. For example, there may be a low correlation
(e.g., correlation coefficient of 0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05,
0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.49, or any ranges
formed by such values) and/or high correlation differential (e.g.,
correlation differential of 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8,
0.85, 0.9, 0.95, 0.96, 0.97, 0.98, 0.99, 1 or any ranges formed by
such values) between the last set of segments and the first set of
segments such that the next cycle of images can provide the
perception of a rapid flip to another icon (e.g., a correlation
coefficient of 0.31 in FIGS. 20A-20B of a full face switching to a
silhouette). As an example, if there are 11 frames of images
changing from FIG. 20A to FIG. 20B, then using frame 1 as the
reference, the correlation coefficient between frames goes from 1
(between frames 1 and itself) to 0.308 (between frames 1 and 11).
Likewise, the correlation between frame 11 and 1 goes from 0.308 to
1. Also, in some implementations, there may be a low correlation
and/or high correlation differential between the consecutive
segments underneath a single lens.
Various implementations can provide one or more images that are
achromatic and/or provide a grey scale effect. In some examples,
the achromatic images can change in brightness. In some
implementations, the device can include a tint, dye, ink, pigment,
opal structure, and/or plasmonic structure to provide one or more
images with color. The images can be monochromatic. In some
instances, the monochromatic images can change in brightness with
tilt.
Various embodiments of the present invention have been described
herein. Although this invention has been described with reference
to these specific embodiments, the descriptions are intended to be
illustrative of the invention and are not intended to be limiting.
Various modifications and applications may occur to those skilled
in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the
invention.
* * * * *
References